stain
stain — noun
1. a dirty or coloured area on a surface that is hard to clean off, often caused by
a dirty or coloured area on a surface that is hard to clean off, often caused by food, drink, mud, or ink
Red wine left a dark stain on the white tablecloth.
collocation: left a stain on
Yuki tried scrubbing the old coffee stain out of her silk blouse.
collocation: scrub a stain out of
The carpet in the living room had dark stains from years of muddy shoes.
Gabriel used a special cleaner to remove the stubborn grass stain from his jeans.
Aylin noticed a yellow stain spreading across the kitchen ceiling after the rain.
文法句型
leave a stain on + object
remove a stain from + object
用法筆記
A stain is more permanent than ordinary dirt — simply wiping or shaking will not remove it; cleaning with soap, detergent, or special chemicals is usually needed.
常見錯誤
2. a liquid chemical substance used to change the colour of wood, fabric, or other
a liquid chemical substance used to change the colour of wood, fabric, or other materials, or to make tiny structures visible under a microscope
Quinn applied a dark walnut stain to the wooden bookshelf last weekend.
pattern: apply + stain + to + object
The lab technician used a fluorescent stain to examine the tissue sample.
domain: scientific laboratory use
Sahil bought a can of wood stain for his garden fence project.
Élise mixed two different stains to create a custom colour for her cabinet.
文法句型
apply + stain + to + object
wood + stain
用法筆記
In woodworking, stains are distinct from paints — they soak into the wood fibres rather than forming a layer on top.
常見錯誤
3. the lasting harm done to how people think of a person or group, caused by someth
the lasting harm done to how people think of a person or group, caused by something shameful or wrong
The scandal left a permanent stain on the senator's long political career.
collocation: a stain on + career / reputation
Being caught cheating left a stain on his reputation that never faded.
The company's environmental violations were a stain on its public image.
Quan worried that the mistake would leave a stain on his family's good name.
文法句型
a stain on + reputation / character / name
用法筆記
This metaphorical sense is more formal and often appears in news reports or serious discussions about ethics. The collocation 'a stain on someone's character/reputation' is very common.
常見錯誤
stain — verb
1. to accidentally create a coloured spot on a surface that is very difficult to cl
to accidentally create a coloured spot on a surface that is very difficult to clean away — for example, spilling coffee on a carpet or getting grease on a shirt
Red wine will stain the carpet if you do not clean it right away.
conditional: if-clause warning
The mechanic's oily hands stained the kitchen towel beyond repair.
Be careful with that ink — it will stain your new shirt permanently.
Joon accidentally stained his mother's white sofa with grape juice.
The curry sauce stained the baby's bib a bright yellow colour.
文法句型
stain + object (the surface)
stain + object + with + substance
用法筆記
This is the most common verb sense. The resultative pattern (stain + object + colour, e.g. 'stained the cloth red') is used when describing the colour that results.
常見錯誤
2. when a substance or piece of cloth takes in liquids easily and therefore gets co
when a substance or piece of cloth takes in liquids easily and therefore gets coloured marks that are hard to wash out
White cotton stains easily, so be careful when you drink red juice.
pattern: stains easily + advice clause
This silk fabric stains badly if you do not treat spills right away.
The light-coloured sofa stains quickly because the material is so soft.
Some wooden floors stain easily when water is left on them overnight.
- repel
keeps liquid out; does not absorb
文法句型
stain (adverb) — no object
用法筆記
This is the only intransitive sense of 'stain'. It describes a property of the material, not an action. Look for adverbs like 'easily', 'badly', or 'quickly' to identify this sense.
常見錯誤
3. to give a particular colour to a surface, such as wood or cloth, by treating it
to give a particular colour to a surface, such as wood or cloth, by treating it with a dye or chemical solution on purpose
The carpenter stained the oak table a deep mahogany colour last week.
pattern: stain + object + colour (no 'with')
Yuki stained the wooden fence a warm shade of brown before winter.
The biologist stained the tissue sample to see the bacteria clearly.
Caio stained the pine shelves with a clear varnish to protect the wood.
文法句型
stain + object + colour
stain + object + with + substance
用法筆記
Unlike the first verb sense (which describes accidental marking), this sense describes a deliberate, controlled process. In woodworking, staining is done to enhance the wood's natural grain.
常見錯誤
4. to damage or spoil someone's reputation permanently, so that people think less o
to damage or spoil someone's reputation permanently, so that people think less of them — for example, a scandal that stains a politician's career
The false accusation stained her reputation for years after the trial.
pattern: accusation + stained + reputation
The corruption scandal stained the image of the entire government.
Quinn felt that one bad decision had stained his family's honour forever.
The politician's career was stained by the bribery investigation last year.
文法句型
stain + reputation / name / character / honour
用法筆記
This is the metaphorical extension of sense v1. It is commonly used in formal or journalistic writing and is frequently passive.