to stain
stain
steɪn
stein
strainsatinsteinswain

Definition & Meaning of "stain"in English

to stain
01

to create marks or discoloration on a surface, usually by accidentally spilling or allowing a substance to absorb 

Transitive: to stain sth
to stain definition and meaning
Examples
Spilling coffee on the carpet may stain it if not cleaned promptly. 
02

to change the color of something by a liquid dye or chemical 

Transitive: to stain a surface with a color
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
stain
3rd person singular
stains
Present participle
staining
Past simple
stained
Past participle
stained
Examples
She stained the wooden table with a rich mahogany finish to match the decor. 
03

to apply a colored substance to a microscopic sample for enhanced visibility under a microscope 

Transitive: to stain a microscopic sample with a color
Examples
The biologist stained the tissue sample with eosin to highlight the cellular structures. 
04

to tarnish or blemish the reputation or image of a person, group, or thing 

Transitive: to stain someone's reputation
Examples
The scandalous revelations stained the politician's reputation irreparably. 
Stain
01

a discolored mark or spot left on a surface, like fabric, wood, or skin, by a substance such as dirt, ink, or food 

Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Composition
Simple
Countable
Plural form
stains
Examples
There was a dark coffee stain on his white shirt. 
02

a soiled or discolored appearance 

03

(microscopy) a dye or other coloring material that is used in microscopy to make structures visible 

04

the state of being covered with unclean things 

05

an act that brings discredit to the person who does it 

06

a symbol of disgrace or infamy 

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