Stain Definition & Meaning

stain
noun
  1. a soiled or discolored appearance; "the wine left a dark stain"
  2. (microscopy) a dye or other coloring material that is used in microscopy to make structures visible
  3. the state of being covered with unclean things
  4. a symbol of disgrace or infamy; "And the Lord set a mark upon Cain"--Genesis
  5. an act that brings discredit to the person who does it; "he made a huge blot on his copybook"
verb
  1. 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"
  2. produce or leave stains; "Red wine stains the table cloth"
  3. 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"
  4. color for microscopic study; "The laboratory worker dyed the specimen"

Synonyms for stain

blob noun

an indistinct shapeless form make a spot or mark onto; "The wine spotted the tablecloth"

♫ Rhymes
blot noun

a blemish made by dirt; "he had a smudge on his cheek" an act that brings discredit to the person who does it

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
brand noun

a name given to a product or service a recognizable kind; "there's a new brand of hero in the movies now

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dirt adj

(of roads) not leveled or drained; unsuitable for all year travel the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus

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discolouration noun

a soiled or discolored appearance; "the wine left a dark stain" the act of changing the natural color of something by

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filth noun

any substance considered disgustingly foul or unpleasant the state of being covered with unclean things a state

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fleck noun

a small fragment of something broken off from the whole

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grease noun

a thick fatty oil (especially one used to lubricate machinery) the state of being covered with unclean things lubricate

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grime noun

the state of being covered with unclean things make soiled, filthy, or dirty

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mark noun

a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance); "she made good marks in algebra

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"Stain" in song lyrics

See how stain is used in real songs:

  • "You can penetrate the vein to the point where what remains is a stain"
    Aceyalone — The Balance
  • "Know I been doin it, since a little stain"
    The Alchemist f/ Havoc, J-Hood, Noyd, Styles P — D Block to QB
  • "And a t-shirt go to hell with blood stain"
    Big Ed f/ Mystikal, Full Blooded — Go 2 War

Words that rhyme with stain

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Usage tips for "stain"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "stain" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for stain to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with stain ↔ Synonyms for stain 🔬 Words containing stain

Frequently asked questions

What does stain mean?
a soiled or discolored appearance; "the wine left a dark stain" (microscopy) a dye or other coloring material that is used in microscopy to make structures visible the state of being covered with unclean things a symbol of disgrace or infamy; "And the Lord set a mark upon Cain"--Genesis an act that brings discredit to the person who does it; "he made a huge blot on his copybook" color with a liquid dye or tint; "Stain this table a beautiful walnut color
What part of speech is stain?
Stain is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does stain have?
Stain has 9 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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