stain
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four verbs describe making a surface unclean, but they differ in permanence and intensity. 'Stain' implies a mark that is hard to remove — red wine stains a carpet, but mud only dirties it. 'Dirty' is the most general word and covers any kind of unclean surface, from a dusty table to muddy boots; the dirt can usually be washed off. 'Soil' is more formal or literary and often suggests making something unclean through contact with waste or dirt — 'soiled nappies' or 'soiled linen'. 'Discolour' focuses on colour change rather than dirtiness — sunlight can discolour a photograph without making it dirty. 'Mark' is the broadest term; a pencil mark on a wall is easy to erase, whereas a stain is not. For learners: use 'stain' when the mark resists cleaning, 'dirty' for everyday mess, and 'mark' for any visible trace.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'stain' comes from Middle English 'steynen', borrowed from Anglo-French 'esteindre' meaning 'to dye or colour'. It merged with a shortened form of Old English 'stænan' ('to adorn with precious stones') and was influenced by Old Norse 'steina' ('to paint'). Originally the word meant simply 'to colour or decorate', but over time its meaning shifted from the neutral or positive sense of adding colour to the negative sense of discolouring or leaving an unwanted mark. The metaphorical use for reputation damage appeared in the 1500s.
First known use
14th century
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1 Noun