greenwashing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal, Academic, Journalistic, Business
Quick answer
What does “greenwashing” mean?
The practice of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental benefits of a product, service, or company to create a more positive public image.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The practice of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental benefits of a product, service, or company to create a more positive public image.
A form of marketing spin, often involving selective disclosure or symbolic gestures, to portray an organisation as environmentally responsible while its core operations remain unsustainable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or grammatical differences. The concept is identical and the term is used with equal frequency.
Connotations
Identical negative connotations of dishonesty and environmental tokenism in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK media and policy discourse, but widely used and understood in both the US and UK.
Grammar
How to Use “greenwashing” in a Sentence
[Company] was accused of greenwashing.The [advertising campaign] is a clear case of greenwashing.to engage in greenwashingto be guilty of greenwashingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “greenwashing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The energy company has been accused of trying to greenwash its investment in new fossil fuel projects.
- Consumers are getting better at spotting when a brand is greenwashing.
American English
- The corporation hired a PR firm to greenwash its environmental record ahead of the shareholder meeting.
- It's obvious they're just greenwashing to appeal to a younger demographic.
adjective
British English
- The supermarket faced criticism for its greenwashing advertising campaign.
- They published a greenwashing report full of unverified claims.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Critiquing a competitor's sustainability report that highlights minor initiatives while ignoring major carbon emissions.
Academic
Analysing discursive strategies in corporate social responsibility communications as a form of greenwashing.
Everyday
Complaining that a fast-fashion brand's 'conscious' collection is just greenwashing.
Technical
Referring to violations of regulatory guidelines against misleading environmental claims in advertising.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “greenwashing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “greenwashing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “greenwashing”
- Using it to describe any environmental marketing (it must be misleading). Spelling as 'green washing' (open compound) is less common than the solid 'greenwashing'. Using it as a verb without the -ing form (e.g., 'to greenwash' is the verb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Greenwashing specifically refers to misleading, deceptive, or unsubstantiated claims. Transparent, accurate, and verified communication about genuine environmental efforts is not greenwashing.
The verb is 'to greenwash' (e.g., 'The company greenwashes its image'). The '-ing' form 'greenwashing' can function as a gerund (noun) or present participle.
A related but distinct term. 'Greenwishing' refers to well-intentioned but naive hopes or aspirations about environmental sustainability that lack a concrete plan or may be based on flawed assumptions. It is less deliberately deceptive than greenwashing.
Look for vague language ('green', 'natural'), hidden trade-offs (highlighting one green attribute while ignoring larger harms), lack of proof or certification, irrelevant claims, and whether the 'green' initiative is a tiny part of the company's overall damaging business model.
The practice of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental benefits of a product, service, or company to create a more positive public image.
Greenwashing is usually formal, academic, journalistic, business in register.
Greenwashing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡriːnwɒʃɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡriːnwɔːʃɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Putting a green gloss on it.”
- “All talk and no green walk.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'whitewashing' a bad reputation. 'Greenwashing' is painting a dirty company with a 'green' brush to hide its true environmental impact.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECEPTION IS A COVER-UP / HYPOCRISY IS A FALSE COLOUR
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is MOST LIKELY an example of greenwashing?