Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun stain

5 senses of stain

Sense 1
stain, discoloration, discolouration -- (a soiled or discolored appearance; "the wine left a dark stain")
       => appearance, visual aspect -- (outward or visible aspect of a person or thing)

Sense 2
stain -- ((microscopy) a dye or other coloring material that is used in microscopy to make structures visible)
       => coloring material, colouring material, color, colour -- (any material used for its color; "she used a different color for the trim")

Sense 3
dirt, filth, grime, soil, stain, grease, grunge -- (the state of being covered with unclean things)
       => dirtiness, uncleanness -- (the state of being unsanitary)

Sense 4
mark, stigma, brand, stain -- (a symbol of disgrace or infamy; "And the Lord set a mark upon Cain"--Genesis)
       => symbol -- (an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance)

Sense 5
blot, smear, smirch, spot, stain -- (an act that brings discredit to the person who does it; "he made a huge blot on his copybook")
       => mistake, error, fault -- (a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention; "he made a bad mistake"; "she was quick to point out my errors"; "I could understand his English in spite of his grammatical faults")

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb stain

4 senses of stain

Sense 1
stain -- (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")
       => dye -- (color with dye; "Please dye these shoes")

Sense 2
stain -- (produce or leave stains; "Red wine stains the table cloth")
       => change, alter, modify -- (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue")

Sense 3
tarnish, stain, maculate, sully, defile -- (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")
       => spot, fleck, blob, blot -- (make a spot or mark onto; "The wine spotted the tablecloth")

Sense 4
stain -- (color for microscopic study; "The laboratory worker dyed the specimen")
       => dye -- (color with dye; "Please dye these shoes")