Spanish Conversation · Level 136
45 words
Spanish word
ennegrecer
Pronunciation
IPA/enneɣɾeˈθeɾ/
Meaning
- verbblacken
Example
El humo ennegrece la pared.
The smoke blackens the wall.
More examples
El carbón ennegrece las manos cuando lo tocas.
Charcoal blackens the hands when you touch it.
Core concept
A pan blackened by burnt residue.
Common phrases
ennegrecer la pared
blacken the wall
ennegrecer las manos
blacken the hands
ennegrecer por el humo
blacken by smoke
Similar words
ensuciar: Makes a surface dirty with dust, mud, or other grime.
manchar: Stains a surface with liquid or oil, leaving a blemish.
ahumar: Coats a surface with smoke or soot, often from burning.
oscurecer: Makes a place or object darker by lessening light.
Definition in Spanish
Provocar que una superficie quede ennegrecida, es decir, cubierta o teñida de negro por humo, hollín u otras causas.
Word origin
Derived from the adjective negro 'black' combined with the prefix en- and the suffix -ecer, a verb-making pattern that yields 'to make black'.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech it describes visible blackening by smoke, soot, or burning, while in writing it can also appear figuratively to mean tarnish or blacken someone's reputation.