What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fleck
Example
There was a fleck of paint on her shirt. [fleck: noun]
Example
The sky was filled with tiny flecks of stars. [flecks: plural noun]
stain
Example
The red wine left a stain on the carpet. [stain: noun]
Example
She accidentally stained her shirt with coffee. [stained: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stain is more commonly used than fleck in everyday language. Stain is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fleck is less common and refers to a small spot or particle.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fleck and stain?
Both fleck and stain are relatively informal words, but stain may be used in more formal contexts when discussing fabric or materials that need to be cleaned or maintained.
