stain
Americannoun
-
a discoloration produced by foreign matter having penetrated into or chemically reacted with a material; a spot not easily removed.
- Synonyms:
- blot, imperfection, mark
-
a natural spot or patch of color different from that of the basic color, as on the body of an animal.
-
a cause of reproach; stigma; blemish.
a stain on one's reputation.
- Synonyms:
- taint, blot, imperfection, mark
-
coloration produced by a dye that penetrates a substance, as wood.
-
a dye made into a solution for coloring woods, textiles, etc.
-
a reagent or dye used in treating a specimen for microscopic examination.
verb (used with object)
-
to discolor with spots or streaks of foreign matter.
-
to bring reproach or dishonor upon; blemish.
-
to sully with guilt or infamy; corrupt.
-
to color or dye (wood, cloth, etc.) by any of various processes that change or react with the substance chemically.
-
to color with something that penetrates the substance.
-
to treat (a microscopic specimen) with some reagent or dye in order to color the whole or parts and so give distinctness, contrast of tissues, etc.
verb (used without object)
-
to produce a stain.
-
to become stained; take a stain.
This fabric stains easily.
verb
-
to mark or discolour with patches of something that dirties
the dress was stained with coffee
-
to dye with a penetrating dyestuff or pigment
-
to bring disgrace or shame on
to stain someone's honour
-
to colour (specimens) for microscopic study by treatment with a dye or similar reagent
-
(intr) to produce indelible marks or discoloration
does ink stain?
noun
-
a spot, mark, or discoloration
-
a moral taint; blemish or slur
-
a dye or similar reagent, used to colour specimens for microscopic study
-
a solution or liquid used to penetrate the surface of a material, esp wood, and impart a rich colour without covering up the surface or grain
-
any dye that is made into a solution and used to colour textiles and hides
Usage
What else does stain mean? In general, a stain is something that leaves a mark.In youth slang, a stain is a "worthless person." In Black American slang, stain is a gang culture expression for "armed robbery."
Other Word Forms
- destainer noun
- nonstainable adjective
- nonstainer noun
- nonstaining adjective
- restain verb
- stainability noun
- stainable adjective
- stainableness noun
- stainably adverb
- stainer noun
- understain noun
- well-stained adjective
Etymology
Origin of stain
1350–1400; Middle English steynen < Old Norse steina to paint; in some senses aphetic form of distain
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.
But as he moves closer to becoming king, the stain Andrew is leaving on the reputation of the Royal Family matters to an heir who says he wants to modernise and change.
From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026
It was pink and soft, with a satin edge and an oval stain caused by a regrettable interaction with Silly Putty.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026
He knew that slavery would be a permanent stain on his reputation.
From Slate • Feb. 16, 2026
Netflix created several product tie-ins for “Stranger Things,” a family hit popular with children and their parents, including Doritos, Gatorade and a Tide stain fighter.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026
“There was a soda stain on the sleeve.”
From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
