stain

[steɪn]

stain Definition

  • 1a colored patch or dirty mark that is difficult to remove
  • 2a moral blemish or mark of guilt

Using stain: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "stain" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The red wine left a stain on the carpet.

  • Example

    She tried to remove the ink stain from her shirt.

  • Example

    The scandal left a stain on his reputation.

  • Example

    The blood stain on the wall was evidence of the crime.

stain Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for stain

Antonyms for stain

Idioms Using stain

  • a stain on one's character

    a moral blemish or mark of guilt that tarnishes one's reputation

    Example

    The embezzlement charge was a stain on his character and he struggled to find work after that.

  • to create an unpleasant memory or impression

    Example

    The company's unethical practices left a bad taste in my mouth and I decided not to do business with them again.

  • throw dirt on someone's name

    to slander or defame someone's reputation

    Example

    He threw dirt on her name by spreading rumors about her personal life.

Phrases with stain

  • colored glass used for decorative purposes, especially in windows

    Example

    The church had beautiful stain glass windows.

  • a substance or product used to remove stains from fabric or other surfaces

    Example

    She used a stain remover to get rid of the coffee stain on her shirt.

  • the ability of a material or surface to resist staining

    Example

    The new sofa has stain resistance, making it easy to clean spills.

Origins of stain

from Old Norse 'steinn', meaning 'coloring matter'

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Summary: stain in Brief

The term 'stain' [steɪn] refers to a colored patch or dirty mark that is difficult to remove, as well as a moral blemish or mark of guilt. It can be seen in examples like 'The red wine left a stain on the carpet.' and 'The scandal left a stain on his reputation.' The phrase 'stain glass' refers to colored glass used for decorative purposes, while 'a stain on one's character' is an idiom that means a moral blemish or mark of guilt that tarnishes one's reputation.

How do native speakers use this expression?