Definition

1. Noun:

   • A discolored spot or mark: A visible mark, often unwanted, left on a surface by a foreign substance.
   • A symbol of disgrace or dishonor: A figurative mark on one's reputation or character.
   • A dye or coloring agent: A substance used to color materials, especially for microscopic examination.

2. Verb:

   • To discolor or soil: To leave a dirty or discolored mark on a surface.
   • To color with a dye or tint: To apply a colorant to a material, such as wood or glass.
   • To bring disgrace upon: To tarnish or sully someone's reputation or character.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • There is a coffee stain on your shirt. (A visible mark from spilled coffee.)
  • The scandal left a permanent stain on his career. (A figurative mark of disgrace.)
  • The biologist applied a special stain to the cell sample. (A dye for microscopy.)

• Verb:

  • Be careful not to stain the carpet with red wine. (To discolor the carpet.)
  • He decided to stain the wooden deck a dark brown. (To apply color to the wood.)
  • The false accusations stained her good name. (To damage her reputation.)

Advanced Usage

• "a stain on one's character/honor": A figurative expression for something that damages a person's moral standing.

  • The embezzlement was a stain on the company's honor.

• "stain-resistant": (As a compound adjective) Describing a material treated to repel stains.

  • The new sofa fabric is stain-resistant.

Variants and Related Words

• Stained (adj): Discolored or marked with a stain; also, treated with a coloring agent (e.g., ).
• Stainless (adj): Without stain or blemish; often used to describe a spotless reputation or a type of steel ().
• Stainer (n): A person or thing that stains.

Synonyms

• Noun (for a mark): Blot, spot, smudge, blemish.
• Noun (for disgrace): Taint, blot, blemish, stigma.
• Verb (to discolor): Soil, dirty, spot, mark.
• Verb (to color): Dye, tint, color, pigment.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• "stain with": To mark or discolor something using a particular substance; or to tarnish something with a particular fault.
  • The table was stained with ink.
  • His record is stained with allegations of corruption.

Related Idioms

• "A stain that won't wash out": A problem or disgrace that is permanent and cannot be erased.
  • The betrayal was a stain on their friendship that wouldn't wash out.

Noun

1. an act that brings discredit to the person who does it
   • he made a huge blot on his copybook
2. a symbol of disgrace or infamy
   • And the Lord set a mark upon Cain--Genesis
3. the state of being covered with unclean things
4. (microscopy) a dye or other coloring material that is used in microscopy to make structures visible
5. a soiled or discolored appearance
   • the wine left a dark stain

Verb

1. color for microscopic study
   • The laboratory worker dyed the specimen
2. make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
   • The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air
   • Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man
3. produce or leave stains
   • Red wine stains the table cloth
4. color with a liquid dye or tint
   • Stain this table a beautiful walnut color
   • people knew how to stain glass a beautiful blue in the middle ages