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black·en
blacken
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- pronunciation:
- blae
kihn
- features:
- Word Parts
part of speech: |
verb |
inflections: |
blackens, blackening, blackened |
definition 1: |
to make black; make dark.
This artist blackens the paper before adding other colors.- synonyms:
- darken
- antonyms:
- lighten, whiten
- similar words:
- dim, dye, eclipse, ink, obscure, shade, shadow, smoke
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definition 2: |
to harm; soil.
His lies blackened her reputation.- synonyms:
- malign, slander, soil, stain, tarnish
- similar words:
- dishonor, smear, smudge
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definition 3: |
to become black.
The walls blackened from the fire.- antonyms:
- whiten
- similar words:
- darken, dim
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related words: |
burn, color, scorch, soil, tarnish |
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derivation: |
blackener (n.) |
The word blacken
contains the following part:
-en1
Old English
verb-forming suffix
that means to cause to be or become or have
More about this word part:
The suffix -en1 forms verbs from monosyllabic English adjectives.
Example words:
awaken, blacken, broaden, dampen, darken, deaden, deafen, deepen, enlighten, fatten, flatten, freshen, frighten, glisten, harden, hasten, lengthen, lessen, lighten, loosen, moisten, ripen, sharpen, shorten, soften, straighten, strengthen, tighten, weaken, whiten, widen
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