How to pronounce tarnish
Say it like TAR-nish. Tarnish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAR).
- TAR
- nish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tarnish pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- nishKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of tarnish
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TAH-nish.
What does tarnish mean?
- Oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.
- To oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.“Careful storage of silver will prevent it from tarnishing.”
- To compromise, damage, soil, or sully.“He is afraid that she will tarnish his reputation if he disagrees with her.”
- To lose its lustre or attraction; to become dull.
Where does tarnish come from?
From Middle English ternysshen, from Old French terniss-, stem of ternir (“to make dim, make wan”), borrowed from Old High German *ternen, tarnen, from Proto-West Germanic *darnijan (“to conceal”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with tarnish
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tarnish.
Questions about saying tarnish
How do you pronounce tarnish?
Say TAR-nish. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɑrnɪʃ/. In British English it is /ˈtɑːnɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tarnish?
Tarnish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAR). Broken into parts: TAR · nish.
Is tarnish pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈtɑːnɪʃ/ (TAH-nish).