Bleach/bliːtʃ/ Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Not Just Hair Although often associated with hair, 'bleach' applies to removing color from various objects. The sun bleached the curtains over time. Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Use 'Bleach' can be used metaphorically to describe losing vividness or vitality. The harsh critique bleached his enthusiasm. Pro Tip 3/3Gradual Process 'Bleaching' something usually takes time and doesn't happen instantly. Years of cleaning bleached the linens.