discolouration

IPA/dɪˌskʌl.əˈreɪ.ʃən/
IPA/dɪˌskʌl.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

discolouration — noun

  • discolourationsingular
  • discolourationsplural

1. the process or result of a surface or material losing its natural colour or deve

1.名詞B2
釋義

the process or result of a surface or material losing its natural colour or developing an unwanted colour, typically because of age, damage, or a chemical reaction

例句

A brown discolouration had spread across the old photograph where the paper was damaged.

Nadia noticed a dark discolouration on the bathroom ceiling near the pipes.

common pattern: discolouration + on + [surface]

同義詞
  • stain

    more specific — implies a mark left by a foreign substance such as food, drink, or dirt

  • blemish

    focuses on the imperfection itself, often on skin or fruit; less common for general surfaces

  • tarnish

    limited to metals whose surface has darkened or dulled through oxidation

  • blotch

    describes an irregular patch or spot, often larger and more uneven than a stain

用法筆記

Common in both countable form (a discolouration, meaning a specific mark or area) and uncountable form (discolouration, meaning the general process or state). The American English spelling is 'discoloration' (without the 'u').

常見錯誤

❌There is a red discolouration on the carpet from the spilled juice.
✅There is a red stain on the carpet from the spilled juice.
💡When the cause is a specific external substance, 'stain' is more natural than 'discolouration'.
❌The white paint showed discoloration.
✅The white paint showed discolouration.
💡Use the British '-our-' spelling for this headword.