stained
adj. · v.-
1 dirty or marked (adj.) B1 Intermediatehaving a dirty mark that is difficult or impossible to wash away.
marked with a discolouration that has penetrated the surface and is resistant to standard cleaning.
ExampleHe was embarrassed because his favorite white shirt was stained with coffee.
ExampleThe carpet in the hallway was badly stained from years of heavy foot traffic and accidental spills that were never properly treated.
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2 coloured with dye (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatecoloured by a special liquid that soaks into the material, like wood or glass.
treated with a pigment or dye that penetrates the substrate to alter its colour while often leaving the texture visible.
ExampleThe dark stained wood of the table made the room look very elegant.
ExampleThe sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows, casting vibrant patterns of red and blue across the stone floor of the cathedral.
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3 damaged a reputation (v.) C1 Advanced Literary Formalto have damaged someone's reputation or good name.
to have brought reproach or disgrace upon a person's character or record. Transitive in this figurative sense.
ExampleThe scandal stained his reputation for the rest of his career.
ExampleThe allegations of corruption stained the minister's legacy, overshadowing the significant social reforms he had implemented during his first term.