white

USAGE SUMMARY

'white' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a color, as in: "The walls of the room were painted white."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

So when a white person holds objectionable views — racism, for example — we rightly condemn them.

The New York Times

But when equally unacceptable views or practices have come from someone who isn't white, we've been too cautious, frankly even fearful, to stand up to them".

The New York Times

"We let the American people know we have not waved the white flag of surrender," she said.

The Guardian

The techniques inflicted on the detainees included hooding suspects, putting them into stress positions, sleep deprivation, food and water deprivation and the use of white noise.

The Guardian

Some used the old white supremacist scare tactic of waving Confederate battle flags in front of the home of a black family – in this case, the White House.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another example is the disproportionate suspicion given to and police targeting of black men in tracksuits, whereas their white counterparts are more likely to be seen as joggers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

However we diverge politically, I have enough faith in Eastwood's artistry and intellect to trust that he is not a black-and-white ideologue – or, at least, that he knows that the limitations of such a worldview would make for an extremely dull movie.

The Guardian - Opinion

The violent seizure of white-owned farms in the 2000s, they argue, was a historic reclaiming of land from the legacy of colonialism, an act that South Africa and other post-independence governments have not dared carry out.

The Guardian

The bowling attack will hope a winter of white-ball woe can turn around once they get a red cherry back in their hands in the Caribbean.

The Guardian - Sport

I had grown up with her pictures and was in awe of her, and also taken aback by the mismatch between the soft, deep, clear beauty of her black-and-white photos that contain every shade and grain of grey and the unassuming, unadorned figure she cut.

The Guardian - Arts

It's only the first couple of weeks of 2015, but the year may as well be over: with the 2016 presidential and congressional elections looming, Republicans are pushing full steam ahead on economy and jobs in an attempt to improve their chances at capturing the White House next year.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing race, use "white" carefully and be mindful of the context and potential sensitivities. Consider using more specific terms when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "white" as a default descriptor for items that could be described more precisely with terms like "ivory", "cream", or "snowy". Specificity enhances clarity and imagery.

Linguistic Context

The word "white" functions primarily as an adjective to describe a color, indicating brightness and lack of hue. It also serves as a noun, referring to the color itself or, in certain contexts, to people of European descent. Ludwig provides examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "white" functions primarily as an adjective and noun, denoting color and sometimes referring to race. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "white", be mindful of the context and potential sensitivities, especially when describing race. Consider the specific shade or quality of "white" to enhance descriptions, and avoid overuse by exploring synonyms like "pale" or "ivory". This analysis provides a comprehensive guide to the effective and appropriate use of "white" in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snowy

Conveys a pure, bright white, reminiscent of fresh snow.

whitened

Describes the action of making something "white" or lighter in color.

pale

Refers to a lighter shade of color, suggesting a lack of intensity in hue.

fair

Implies a light complexion, often used to describe skin tone.

bleached

Implies a chemical process to make something "white" or lighter.

ivory

Suggests a creamy off-white color, often associated with elegance.

light

Indicates a general lack of darkness, which can be related to "white" in certain contexts.

blank

Describes something empty or void of color, akin to a "white" canvas.

albino

Specifically refers to a lack of pigmentation, resulting in "white" skin or fur.

achromatic

Refers to the absence of color, including "white", black, and gray.

FAQs

How can I use the word "white" in a sentence?

The word "white" can be used as an adjective to describe color, as in "a white house". It can also be used as a noun to refer to the color itself, as in "white is the color of snow", or to refer to a person of European descent.

What are some synonyms for "white" when describing color?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "pale", "ivory", "snowy", or "light" instead of "white".

Is it appropriate to use "white" to describe a person's race?

Yes, "white" is commonly used to describe a person of European descent. However, be mindful of the context and potential sensitivities. In some situations, it may be more appropriate to use a more specific term or avoid mentioning race altogether.

What is the difference between "white" and "blank"?

"White" refers to a color, while "blank" refers to something empty or void of content. A "white" page has a specific color, whereas a blank page has nothing written on it.