Blacken

Blacken is a verb meaning to cause something to become black or darker in color. It can refer to burning or charring a surface, or applying a black coating or pigment. The act can be transitive (to blacken something) or intransitive (the smoke blackened the walls). The term covers both physical darkening and cosmetic finishes, as well as figurative uses.

Etymology and usage notes: The word is formed from the adjective black with the suffix -en and has been in use since Middle English to indicate making something black or darker. It covers a range of processes from natural burning to deliberate finishing.

Common uses

Cooking: Blackening is a high-heat cooking method commonly associated with Cajun and Creole cuisine. Proteins such as fish or chicken are coated with a dense spice mixture and cooked in a very hot skillet or on a grill, forming a dark crust. Butter or oil may be used, which can produce noticeable smoke and a distinctive spicy flavor.

Surface finishing: In metalworking, blackening describes creating a black oxide coating on iron or steel, often by hot or cold chemical processes. The resulting finish provides a dark appearance and can offer limited corrosion resistance, depending on the method and subsequent sealing.

Figurative use: Blacken can also mean to damage or defame someone’s reputation, as in “to blacken a name,” implying the spread of harmful allegations or rumors.

See also: burn, charcoal, dyeing, oxidation, bluing.