white

[hwaɪt]

white Definition

  • 1of the color of milk or fresh snow, due to the reflection of all visible rays of light; the opposite of black
  • 2relating to or denoting a human group having light-colored skin (chiefly used of peoples of European extraction)

Using white: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "white" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    She wore a white dress to the wedding.

  • Example

    The walls were painted white.

  • Example

    He has white hair and blue eyes.

  • Example

    White people make up the majority of the population in this country.

white Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for white

Idioms Using white

  • very pale, usually due to fear, shock, or illness

    Example

    When he saw the accident, he turned white as a sheet.

  • white-collar

    relating to work done in an office or other professional environment, typically involving the use of computers and other technology

    Example

    He works in a white-collar job as a software engineer.

  • completely pure or innocent

    Example

    Her intentions were as white as snow; she never meant to harm anyone.

Phrases with white

  • a harmless or trivial lie, especially one told to avoid hurting someone's feelings

    Example

    I told her that I liked her new haircut, but it was just a white lie.

  • a possession that is expensive to maintain or difficult to dispose of, especially one that is more a burden than a benefit

    Example

    The old mansion was a white elephant that nobody wanted to buy.

  • white-knuckle

    causing intense fear, anxiety, or excitement

    Example

    The roller coaster ride was a white-knuckle experience for me.

Origins of white

Old English 'hwīt'

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Summary: white in Brief

The word 'white' [hwaɪt] refers to the color of milk or fresh snow, and is often used to describe light-colored skin. It can be used to describe objects, such as 'She wore a white dress to the wedding,' or people, as in 'White people make up the majority of the population in this country.' The phrase 'white lie' refers to a harmless untruth, while 'white elephant' describes a burdensome possession. 'White as a sheet' denotes extreme paleness, and 'white-collar' describes professional work.

How do native speakers use this expression?