What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tarnish
Example
The silverware has tarnished over time. [tarnished: past participle]
Example
The politician's scandal tarnished his reputation. [tarnish: verb]
stain
Example
The red wine stain on the carpet is hard to remove. [stain: noun]
Example
She accidentally stained her shirt with coffee. [stained: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stain is more commonly used than tarnish in everyday language. Stain is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tarnish is less common and refers specifically to metal surfaces.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tarnish and stain?
Both tarnish and stain can be used in formal and informal contexts, but tarnish may be more commonly used in technical or specialized fields related to metals or chemistry.
