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; see 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

Andrew Bosworth, Meta's chief technology officer, was asked on Instagram two weeks ago about "the stigma around people wearing smart glasses every day",

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Isabel Diaz, 53, survived the outbreak with a different stigma -- her father, Victor Diaz, was labeled "patient zero," and attended the birthday party while displaying the early symptoms of hantavirus.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

Grede provocatively highlights the cultural shift that’s happening here: Moms are participating in and prioritizing work in a way that holds a stigma for them that doesn’t apply to dads.

From Salon • May 10, 2026

“Matthew believed addiction should be met with compassion and science, not stigma and silence,” Lisa Kasteler Calio, chief executive of the Matthew Perry Foundation, said in Tuesday’s announcement.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

As discussed in chapter 4, during Jim Crow, racial stigma contributed to racial solidarity in the black community.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Related Words

• scar
• stain