1 B1 neutral
To cover a written mistake with white correction fluid so it cannot be seen.
"She whited out the spelling error and typed the correct word over it."
separable
white out
B2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To cover text or an area with white correction fluid, or to describe conditions of blinding white (especially snow or fog).
In plain English
To cover something with white so you can't see it, or when everything looks completely white outside.
What does "white out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
When visibility becomes zero due to heavy snow, fog, or blinding light.
"The mountain path whited out completely during the blizzard, making navigation impossible."
inseparable
3 B2 neutral
To render areas of a document or image blank by filling them white, typically to redact or censor information.
"Large sections of the declassified report had been whited out before it was released to the public."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To render something entirely white, removing all colour and visibility.
Actually means
To cover something with white so you can't see it, or when everything looks completely white outside.
Usage tip
Has two main distinct uses: the physical act of applying correction fluid ('Wite-Out' is a brand name in the US) and describing meteorological whiteout conditions. As a noun, 'whiteout' refers to a blizzard that reduces visibility to near zero.
Words that pair with "white out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
mistake text error conditions blizzard correction fluid
How to conjugate "white out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
white out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
whites out
he/she/it
Past simple
whited out
yesterday
Past participle
whited out
have + pp
-ing form
whiting out
continuous
Hear "white out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "white out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "white out"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.