stainless
Americanadjective
-
having no stain; spotless.
-
made of stainless steel.
-
resistant to staining, rusting, the corrosive effect of chemicals, etc.
noun
-
flatware made of stainless steel.
adjective
-
resistant to discoloration, esp discoloration resulting from corrosion; rust-resistant
stainless steel
-
having no blemish
a stainless reputation
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of stainless
Explanation
If an object is stainless, it is clean or resistant to discoloration. When a person is described with the adjective stainless, it means that they are exemplary, or extremely good. If you have any silver-colored appliances in your kitchen, they're probably stainless steel, specially formulated so they won't discolor or corrode. Most everyday spoons and forks are stainless steel as well. If someone refers to your sister's stainless reputation, on the other hand, he is implying that everyone thinks of her as well-behaved, almost saintly. This kind of stainless has been used since the 16th century; stainless steel wasn't invented until 1917.
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.
Demand for the company’s stainless steel truck, once hailed as an EV disrupter, evaporated after initial hype.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
In the end, the vehicle launched in 2023, keeping its novel design - an angular shape with a body made of stainless steel.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
The project also includes restoration of the facade and polishing of its famous stainless steel crown.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
Behind the bar, yeast busily converted sugars into alcohol inside giant stainless steel fermentation tanks.
From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026
The room was caught between old and new, between stone colonnades and stainless steel floors, between the very latest in high tech and old curiosities from the Industrial Revolution.
From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
