noun
stain
stayn
noun
1
A discoloured mark left by a substance that soaks into a surface.
"She couldn't get the coffee stain out of the carpet."
2
A lasting mark on someone's reputation.
"The scandal left a stain on his career."
verb
1
To discolour something, often permanently, or to apply colouring liquid to a surface.
"Red wine will stain a white tablecloth in seconds."
"He stained the bookshelf a deep walnut colour."
How to Use Stain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mark that discolours something, or the act of leaving/adding such a mark — including a figurative mark on reputation.
Common pairings
wood stain
stain remover
leave a stain
Word Forms
stained past tense, stains plural, stains singular
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Etymology
From Old Norse steina, "to colour or paint," related to steinn, meaning stone.