white
- adjective
- /waɪt/
- "And his mother had said it was okay to tell "little white lies" to make someone feel better.
In particular, anything that might corrupt our precious white darlings.
- In particular, anything that might corrupt our precious white darlings.
Examples
-
Well, that's mighty white of you.
-
I just had to tell a little white lie to get him out of something.
-
She is as a beautiful, clear, honest, white kind of soul.
-
" I haven't the energy for the little white lies we're all supposed to tell, Mr. Jacob.
Fiction book (1995) -
But mere avoidance does not absolve the white moderate of her sins.
Fiction book (1998) -
Sayers asserts that this is because of the involvement of benevolent white people.
Academic text (2011) -
They are purer than pure, whiter than white in all things ethical.
-
It started as a little white lie, and then it spiraled out of control, and I've learnt that there's no such thing as a little white lie.
-
Her intentions were truly white, as she volunteered her time to help those in need.
-
In their community, they are known for their white values, always promoting kindness and fairness.
Synonyms
Not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
To try to reach a very difficult or impossible goal for a long time
- Slur
People say it when something seems typical of white people and shows white privilege
Compounds
The government building in Washington, D.C. where the US president lives and works
- Offensive
A person who thinks white people are better than other races and should control society
- Slur
An insulting word for poor white people, especially in the southern United States
- Offensive
The belief that white people are better than people of other races and should control society
- Specialized
A steady sound made of all tones that hides other sounds and helps people sleep
- Specialized
Tissue in the brain and spinal cord that carries messages between different brain areas
- Specialized
A small, very dense star that remains after a star uses its fuel and glows with leftover heat
A pale, silver-coloured metal that people make by mixing gold with other metals for jewellery
A light-colored spice that comes from ripe peppercorns with their skins removed and has a milder taste than black pepper
- Archaic
A printed list of people's names and home phone numbers in alphabetical order
A North American deer with a white underside to its tail that it raises when scared
- Offensive
A person who wants white people to live apart from people of other races
- Formal
A very formal men's evening dress code requiring a white bow tie and tailcoat
A white person with British family background who follows Protestant Christianity and is often from a socially important group
- Informal
An expensive thing that costs a lot to keep and is more trouble than it is worth
- Slur
A white man, often middle-aged or older, who feels very upset and bitter about social change
How Pure
Surface Forms
Etymology
White meaning pure or innocent comes from the long symbol of the color white as 'clean' or 'pure'. That's why calling someone 'white' in this sense means they are morally clean or without guilt.