Definition

A substance or product used to make something whiter, often used in laundry or as a non-dairy creamer for beverages.

Example

She added a whitener to her laundry to make the clothes brighter.

Conversation

Have you ever tried that new coffee whitener they sell at the cafe?

No, I haven't! Is it good?

It's actually pretty decent; it makes the coffee really creamy without using milk.

Sounds interesting! I might give it a try next time.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Whitener → It is formed from "white" (from Old English "hwita", meaning bright or light in color) and "-ner" (a suffix used to indicate a person or thing that performs a specific action). The word "whitener" refers to something that makes or causes something to become white or brighter.

Memory Tip

Think of something that makes things 'white' — 'white' means bright, and '-ner' indicates a person or thing that does something. A whitener is something that brightens or whitens.

Visually Confused Words