whitewash
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈwaɪtˌwɔːʃ/
KK: /ˈhwaɪtˌwɔʃ/
noun
Definition
A type of paint made from a mixture of lime and water, used to make surfaces like walls and fences white, or a situation where someone tries to hide problems or failures.
Example
The old barn was covered in whitewash to protect it from the weather.
Conversation
Did you see how they did a whitewash on that old fence?
Yeah, it looks so much better now!
I wonder if they used a special mixture for the whitewash.
Probably, it makes a big difference in how it looks.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
coating
covering
paint
Antonyms
exposure
reveal
disclosure
transitive verb
Definition
To cover up or hide something, especially wrongdoing, or to paint something with a white substance.
Example
The company tried to whitewash its poor safety record by highlighting only positive aspects.
Tense Forms
Past: whitewashed
Past Participle: whitewashed
Conversation
Did you hear about the report they released?
Yeah, it sounds like they tried to whitewash the real issues.
Exactly! It's frustrating how they can just gloss over the problems.
Root Explanation
Whitewash is formed from "white" (from Old English "hwita", meaning of the color white) and "wash" (from Old English "wascan", meaning to cleanse or wash). The term originally referred to a mixture used to wash or paint surfaces white, often to cover imperfections.
Memory Tip
Think of the color 'white' being used to 'cleanse' or cover something up — that's why whitewash means to cover something with a white wash.
Visually Confused Words
unwhitewashed