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Stains: meaning, definitions and examples

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stains

 

[ steɪnz ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

on fabric

Marks left on a surface by the accidental spillage or splattering of a liquid substance.

Synonyms

blemishes, marks, spots.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
stains

Used when referring to persistent marks or discolorations on surfaces or fabrics that are difficult to remove and often created by substances like wine, coffee, or ink.

  • The red wine left a stubborn stain on the white carpet.
  • She couldn't get the ink stain out of her favorite shirt.
marks

General term for any kind of visible trace, line, or impression on a surface. These can be of various natures and usually refer to something temporary or intentionally made.

  • He left a mark on the paper with his pen.
  • There were chalk marks on the blackboard after the lesson.
spots

Typically used to describe small, round stains or discolored areas on surfaces, fabrics, or the skin. It can also mildly refer to places or specific locations.

  • She noticed tiny spots on the mirror after cleaning.
  • His face had spots of sunburn from the beach trip.
blemishes

Commonly used when referring to small imperfections on the skin or on the surface of objects, including pimples and other small defects that affect the appearance.

  • Despite her overall clear complexion, she had a few blemishes on her forehead.
  • The antique table had a few blemishes that added to its character.

Examples of usage

  • The white shirt had coffee stains on the sleeve.
  • She tried to remove the wine stains from the tablecloth.
Context #2 | Verb

clothing

To accidentally mark or spoil (clothing or a surface) with a dirty mark that is difficult to remove.

Synonyms

blemish, mark, spot.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
stains

Commonly used to refer to discoloration on fabric, clothing, or surfaces that is often hard to remove.

  • The red wine left stubborn stains on the carpet
  • He struggled to remove the coffee stains from his shirt
mark

A general term for any kind of visible impression, line, or stain; can be used in a wider range of situations.

  • She left a mark on the paper with her pen
  • There was a muddy mark on the floor from his boots
spot

Typically refers to small, round areas of color or stain, often used to describe issues like minor skin imperfections.

  • He noticed a dark spot on his shirt after lunch
  • The dog had spots all over its fur
blemish

Used to describe small flaws or imperfections on skin or objects, often implying a slight negative connotation.

  • She was worried about the blemish on her face before the big event
  • The car had only one blemish, a small dent on the side

Examples of usage

  • She accidentally stained her dress with ink.
  • The grass stains on his jeans were hard to get rid of.

Translations

Translations of the word "stains" in other languages:

🇵🇹 manchas

🇮🇳 धब्बे

🇩🇪 Flecken

🇮🇩 noda

🇺🇦 плями

🇵🇱 plamy

🇯🇵 シミ

🇫🇷 taches

🇪🇸 manchas

🇹🇷 lekeler

🇰🇷 얼룩

🇸🇦 بقع

🇨🇿 skvrny

🇸🇰 škvrny

🇨🇳 污点

🇸🇮 madeži

🇮🇸 blettir

🇰🇿 дақтар

🇬🇪 ბზარები

🇦🇿 ləkələr

🇲🇽 manchas

Etymology

The word 'stains' originated from the Middle English word 'steynen' meaning to mark with color or a spot. Over time, the meaning evolved to include marks left by liquids on surfaces. The concept of stains has been present throughout history, with different cultures developing methods to remove or cover up stains on various materials.

See also: stain, stained, staining.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,174, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.