whitewash

Whitewash is a term with two broad meanings. In its literal sense, it refers to a pale coating applied to walls, fences, and other surfaces. The coating typically uses lime or cement-based pigments mixed with water and sometimes additional binders. Whitewash is valued for its low cost, reflectivity, breathability, and ease of application, making it common on exterior masonry and rural structures.

Historically, whitewash has been used worldwide on farm buildings, ships, and other exposed surfaces to protect substrates and brighten appearances. Limewash, a closely related form, relies on slaked lime and water and tends to develop a chalky patina as it ages. The practice has been associated with traditional aesthetics as well as practical considerations in various climates.

Metaphorically, whitewash denotes concealing or downplaying faults, wrongdoing, or unfavorable information by presenting a sanitized or favorable version. It is used in political, corporate, and media discourse to describe efforts to obscure or distort reality. The term is also common in discussions about history and museums when aspects of the past are minimized or omitted.

In culture and media, whitewashing can refer to the practice of casting white actors in roles that depict non-white characters, a practice widely criticized for erasing representation. In sports, a whitewash describes a sweep in which one team wins all games in a series, such as a 4–0 victory in cricket or similar sweeps in other leagues.