# whites

/ˈhwaɪts/ (US) · /wˈaɪts/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/whites
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. white clothes or uniforms

noun · CEFR B2

a set of white clothes, often worn as a uniform for sports like cricket or in the military.

For teachers: a set of white garments, typically serving as a formal or functional uniform in specific professional or athletic contexts.

- The cricket players looked very professional in their clean white clothes.
- The naval officers were required to dress in their summer whites for the arrival of the visiting dignitaries.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form when referring to a complete outfit.

### 2. white laundry

noun · CEFR B1

clothes or sheets that are white and need to be washed together.

For teachers: white laundry items, such as linens and garments, grouped together for washing to prevent colour bleeding.

- Don't forget to separate the whites from the dark clothes before starting the wash.
- She preferred to wash her whites at a higher temperature to ensure the bedsheets remained crisp and bright.

### 3. parts of eyes or eggs

noun · CEFR B1

the white parts of your eyes or the clear part of an egg that turns white when cooked.

For teachers: the white part of the eyeball (sclera) or the clear, protein-rich liquid surrounding the yolk of an egg (albumen).

- The recipe says to separate the egg whites from the yolks.
- The doctor noticed that the whites of his eyes had a slightly yellowish tint, suggesting a possible liver issue.

## Examples

- The sailors wore their whites on deck.
- The captain ordered the crew to change into their whites for the official welcome ceremony.
- Against the dark blue of the ocean, the crisp whites of the naval officers created a striking visual contrast during the parade.

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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.