MEANING
To turn noticeably pale, especially because of shock, fear, or distress.
Use it for
fear revealed by complexion; startling bad newsLet the face register what the character has understood.
Words that belong together
- blanch at the news
- blanch with fear
- visibly blanch
On the page
He blanched when the surgeon mentioned the second scan.
At the sight of the broken harness, the instructor blanched.
She watched him blanch before he admitted whose name was on the warrant.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- blanch / blanches
- Past tense
- blanched
- Past participle
- blanched
- Present participle
- blanching
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- blanch / blanches
- Present continuous
- am/is/are blanching
- Present perfect
- have/has blanched
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been blanching
- Past
- blanched
- Past continuous
- was/were blanching
- Past perfect
- had blanched
- Past perfect continuous
- had been blanching
- Future
- will blanch / blanches
- Future continuous
- will be blanching
- Future perfect
- will have blanched
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been blanching
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
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Usage notes
Primary category: fear. Describes color change, not necessarily withdrawal; do not confuse with blench, which can mean flinch. Also a cooking verb. Verb forms (base, third-person singular, past, past participle, -ing): blanch, blanches, blanched, blanched, blanching.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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