Etymology The noun is derived from white (adjective) + wash (noun). Noun sense 5.1 (“medicinal preparation for treating skin diseases”) is a calque of New Latin lōtiō alba (literally “white wash”). The verb is derived partly from white (adjective) + wash (verb), and partly from the noun.
A mixture of a powdered mineral substance (often slaked lime (containing calcium hydroxide), chalk (calcium carbonate), or both) and water which is used for painting surfaces such as fences and walls bright white.
Near-synonym: limewash (often coinstantial)
For walls plaster gave a smooth white surface; or if it was not sufficiently white, or had become discoloured, it could be brightened up with a coat of whitewash or paint.1952, L. F. Salzman, Building in England, page 157:
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Figuratively A thing used to hide mistakes, or to create an appearance of honesty, propriety, etc.; also (often politics), an act of hiding mistakes or creating an appearance of honesty, propriety, etc.; especially, a campaign, investigation, etc., which intentionally hides or overlooks unfavourable facts.
“She has developed an arrogance of power,” Mr. Richardson said by telephone during a layover in Tokyo on his way back to New Mexico from Myanmar. “I’ve known her a long time and am fond of her, but she basically is unwilling to listen to bad news, and I don’t want to be part of a whitewash.”2018 January 24, Hannah Beech, Rick Gladstone, “Citing ‘Whitewash,’ Bill Richardson Quits Rohingya Post”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:
A report by the City watchdog into the scandal at Royal Bank of Scotland’s turnaround unit has been described as a whitewash after the regulator confirmed it would not punish the bank for mistreating business customers following the financial crash.2019 June 13, Kalyeena Makortoff, “FCA report into RBS called a 'complete whitewash' by critics”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC:
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BusinessFiguratively An act of clearing a person's debts, especially through a declaration of bankruptcy by a court.
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Hobbies, Lifestyle, SportsFiguratively A complete victory or series of victories without suffering any losses; a clean sweep; also, a victory or series of victories by a very large margin.
For the first time in a long time, Australia are being threatened with the prospect of a 5-0 whitewash2010, Andrew Miller, Cricinfo:
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Cooking, Food, Lifestyle The most basic type of thickening agent, consisting of flour blended with water to make a paste.
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Cosmetics, LifestyleHistorical A preparation for making the skin look lighter.
I have heard a whole Sermon against a White-wash.1713, Joseph Addison, The Guardian:
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Medicine, Pharmacology, SciencesObsolete Any of several medicinal preparations for treating skin diseases consisting of a mixture of a metallic compound (such as one of lead, sulfur, or zinc) and water.
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Beverages, Food, Lifestyle, Oenology, WineObsolete, Slang White wine, especially Madeira or sherry, drunk after dinner or after taking claret and port; (countable) a glass of such wine.
The bottles, however, were port bottles, but contained mushroom ketchup; and we can only say with regard to the 15s. sherry, that it would have made an admirable "whitewash," as Sheridan's glass is still sometimes called, […]1883, Cassell's Dictionary of Cookery, page lxxxiii:
Sercial was also used as a sort of white-wash after the Port at dinner, those were the days when people had time to drink both Port and a White wash.1950, Wine & the Wine Trade, page 28:
Etymology The noun is derived from white (adjective) + wash (noun). Noun sense 5.1 (“medicinal preparation for treating skin diseases”) is a calque of New Latin lōtiō alba (literally “white wash”). The verb is derived partly from white (adjective) + wash (verb), and partly from the noun.
To paint (a building, a wall, etc.) a bright white with whitewash.
Near-synonym: limewash (often coinstantial)
The houses looked very bright after they had whitewashed the whole neighbourhood.
1 more example
Provided that any such window or skylight may be whitewashed or shaded for the purpose of mitigating heat or glare.1978, Commissioner for Labour, “Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Amendment) Regulations 1978”, in Hong Kong Government Gazette, page B538:
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Derogatory, Figuratively To distort or give a misleading account of (history, a narrative, etc.) by discounting the participation of people of colour and focusing on white people.
If you appreciate historical accuracy and fair inclusion, don't go see this film [Stonewall (2015)]. If you don’t want to fuel the economy at another Hollywood attempt of whitewashing American history, don't give any aspect of this film a single dime or promotion.2015 August 6, Ernest Owens, “Hollywood, Don’t You Dare Whitewash Stonewall”, in HuffPost, archived from the original on 16 Apr 2025:
Sofia Coppola's The Beguiled cuts the book's black characters, whitewashing its tale of the Civil War–era South. At this point, that's hardly a surprise. [subtitle]2017 June 20, Corey Atad, “Lost in Adaptation”, in Slate, New York, N.Y.: The Slate Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 10 Jun 2025:
From Scarlett Johansson's heroine in the remake of the anime classic to Tilda Swinton as a Himalayan high priest in Doctor Strange, the film industry stands accused of whitewashing Asian characters and culture. Does it have a defence? [subtitle] […] Swinton replied that Dr Strange's writers were seeking to avoid the tired Orientalist stereotype of the "wise old Eastern geezer" or "Fu Manchu type". […] In other words, it was whitewashing in the name of diversity.2017 March 31, Steve Rose, “Ghost in the Shell’s whitewashing: does Hollywood have an Asian problem?”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 20 Jul 2025:
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MediaDerogatory, Figuratively To make over (someone of colour) so that they appear more white, for example, by applying lightening makeup to their skin or digitally manipulating an image of them.
One of Naomi Osaka's sponsors has been forced to apologise after depicting the Japanese tennis star, who is half-Haitian, with pale skin in an advertisement. […] The company said it had not intended to "whitewash" the athlete, […] The ad, which also features her compatriot Kei Nishikori, drew criticism on social media, with many users accusing Nissin of whitewashing Osaka, whose mother is Japanese.2019 January 23, Justin McCurry, “Naomi Osaka sponsor apologises for ‘whitewashing’ tennis star in ad”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 13 Dec 2024:
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Figuratively, Literary, Poetic To cover or coat (something) with a white substance, as if with whitewash (noun sense 1); also, to light up (something) with white light.
Often passive voice
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BusinessFiguratively To clear (someone's) debts, especially through a declaration of bankruptcy by a court; also, to clear or write off (a debt).
Meanwhile, Sam, having been formally introduced to the whitewashed gentleman and his friends, as the offspring of Mr. Weller, of the Belle Savage, was treated with marked distinction, and invited to regale himself with them in honour of the occasion—an invitation which he was by no means backward in accepting.1836, Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers 43
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Government, PoliticsFiguratively, Often To hide (someone's) mistakes, or to create an appearance of honesty, propriety, etc., for (someone); also, to intentionally hide or overlook (mistakes, unfavourable facts, wrongdoing, etc.).
In his sermon, the minister didn’t try to whitewash over the sins of his church.
Novv, Sir, vvhen my Time comes, leſt they ſhou'd think it vvorth vvhile to handle my Memory vvith the ſame Freedom, I am vvilling to prevent its being ſo odly beſmear'd (or at beſt but flatly vvhite-vvash'd) by taking upon me to give the Publick This, as true a Picture of myſelf as natural Vanity vvill permit me to dravv; […]1740, Colley Cibber, chapter I, in An Apology for the Life of Mr. Colley Cibber, […], London: […] John Watts for the author, →OCLC, page 3:
2 more examples
The books have yet to be written. But there is no question that Ms. Park [Geun-hye] and her Saenuri Party will whitewash the past to bolster the conservative cause at the expense of the education system and South Korea's international reputation as a democracy, and harm Seoul's attempt to hold Japan accountable for its wartime conduct.2015 November 12, Se-Woong Koo, “South Korea’s textbook whitewash”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 07 Mar 2025:
“It pisses me off to see Republican lawmakers continue to spread the lies and conspiracy theories regarding January 6, in an attempt to whitewash that day, because it’s politically inconvenient for them to acknowledge the reality of what happened,” [Michael] Fanone said during an MSNBC interview Friday.2024 January 6, Nick Robertson, “Fanone says GOP lawmakers attempt to ‘whitewash’ Jan. 6 due to ‘politically inconvenient’ reality”, in The Hill, Washington, D.C.: Capitol Hill Publishing Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 12 Aug 2024:
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Hobbies, Lifestyle, SportsFiguratively, Informal To achieve a complete victory or series of victories over (an opponent) without suffering any losses; also, to achieve a victory or series of victories over (an opponent) by a very large margin.
Australia whitewashed the West Indies 3–0.
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Cosmetics, LifestyleArchaic, Historical To make (the face, etc.) look lighter with makeup or a similar preparation.
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Obsolete Synonym of bleach (“to treat (fabric) with a substance which lightens or whitens”).
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To paint bright white with whitewash (noun sense 1).
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BusinessFiguratively To have debts cleared through a declaration of bankruptcy by a court.