stigma

American  

[stig-muh] / ˈstɪg mə /

noun

plural

stigmata, stigmas

1. a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation.

   Synonyms:

   tarnish, blemish, blot

2. Medicine/Medical.

   1. a mental or physical mark that is characteristic of a defect or disease.

      the stigmata of leprosy.

   2. a place or point on the skin that bleeds during certain mental states, as in hysteria.

3. Zoology.

   1. a small mark, spot, or pore on an animal or organ.

   2. the eyespot of a protozoan.

   3. an entrance into the respiratory system of insects.

4. Botany. the part of a pistil that receives the pollen.

5. stigmata, marks resembling the wounds of the crucified body of Christ, said to be supernaturally impressed on the bodies of certain persons, especially nuns, tertiaries, and monastics.

6. Archaic. a mark made by a branding iron on the skin of a criminal or slave.

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stigma British  

/ ˈstɪɡmə /

noun

1. a distinguishing mark of social disgrace

   the stigma of having been in prison

2. a small scar or mark such as a birthmark

3. pathol

   1. any mark on the skin, such as one characteristic of a specific disease

   2. any sign of a mental deficiency or emotional upset

4. botany the receptive surface of a carpel, where deposited pollen germinates

5. zoology

   1. a pigmented eyespot in some protozoans and other invertebrates

   2. the spiracle of an insect

6. archaic a mark branded on the skin

7. (plural) Christianity marks resembling the wounds of the crucified Christ, believed to appear on the bodies of certain individuals

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stigma Scientific  

/ stĭg′mə /

1. The sticky tip of a flower pistil, on which pollen is deposited at the beginning of pollination.

2. See more at flower

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Etymology

Origin of stigma

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin, from Greek stígma “tattoo mark,” equivalent to stig- (stem of stízein “to tattoo”) + -ma, noun suffix; stick ²

Explanation

If something has a negative association attached to it, call this a stigma. Bed-wetting can lead to a social stigma for a six-year-old, while chewing tobacco might have the same effect for a sixty-year-old. Stigma, from the Greek word of the same spelling meaning "mark, puncture," came into English through Latin to mean a mark burned into the skin to signify disgrace. It did not take long for stigma to be used figuratively, as it is commonly used today, for the negative stereotype or reputation attached to something. If a politician is caught taking bribes, she might resign because of the stigma.

Example Sentences

But even at its height, the form carried a certain stigma.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

It was an off-speed pitch first derived from the forkball that hadn’t been popular since the age of the Walkman—and its reputation for shredding elbows had given it a stigma.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

India's transgender population was estimated at nearly 500,000 in the 2011 census, although activists say stigma and underreporting mask the true figure.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

Since then, the stigma surrounding bargain stores has lessened for both customers and brands.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

He wanted to learn the true meaning of blackness and thereby conquer the stigma; anthropology intrigued him as the study of where humankind began.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

• scar
• stain