# Blanco

/ˈbɫæŋkoʊ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/blanco
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a white liquid or paste used to clean and whiten things like sports shoes or military belts. It was very common in the past for keeping equipment looking bright and new.

For teachers: a white compound, typically in liquid or paste form, used for whitening and cleaning leather or canvas equipment. Historically associated with military kit and cricket pads.

## Examples

- He used blanco to make his old cricket pads look white again.
- The soldiers spent hours applying blanco to their webbing to ensure their uniforms met the inspection standards.
- Before the advent of modern synthetic materials, maintaining the pristine appearance of canvas gear required the regular application of blanco, a task that became a ritual of military discipline.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.