stainless

American  

[steyn-lis] / ˈsteɪn lɪs /

adjective

1. having no stain; spotless.

2. made of stainless steel.

3. resistant to staining, rusting, the corrosive effect of chemicals, etc.

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noun

1. flatware made of stainless steel.

2. stainless steel.

stainless British  

/ ˈsteɪnlɪs /

adjective

1. resistant to discoloration, esp discoloration resulting from corrosion; rust-resistant

   stainless steel

2. having no blemish

   a stainless reputation

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noun

1. stainless steel

Other Word Forms

• stainlessly adverb
• stainlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of stainless

First recorded in 1580–90; stain + -less

Example Sentences

Factories in sectors including stainless steel and plastic have cut back on production as a result.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

They deposited an extremely thin layer of thorium onto stainless steel using electroplating, a technique commonly used in jewelry.

From Science Daily • Jan. 8, 2026

The centerpiece of Chicago’s wildly successful Millennium Park, the bandshell’s billowing 120-foot proscenium, supported by a web of aluminum arms, is fronted by dozens of torqued stainless steel ribbons, which exuberantly frame the stage.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

Carbon steel gives a sharper edge than stainless steel, and it’s easier to sharpen, but the blade rusts easily.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025

The Sphinx bared her claws, which gleamed like stainless steel.

From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan