stain
noun
a discoloration produced by foreign matter having penetrated into or chemically reacted with a material; a spot not easily removed.
had stained
-
past perfectof stain.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hermoso said the incident had "stained one of the happiest days" of her life.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2025
Many other bottles were intact, but had stained labels.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2023
Birstall seemed anxious to move on, blotting out the memory of a man who had stained the reputation of their community.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 6, 2019
Hammons brought the work in a small truck: six very expensive fur coats, all of which he had stained, seared with a blowtorch, or smeared with paint.
From The New Yorker ● Dec. 2, 2019
It had stained his teeth orange for days after.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
