stainless

stainless — adjective

1. used to describe a material, especially a type of steel, that resists rust and k

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

used to describe a material, especially a type of steel, that resists rust and keeps its original colour when exposed to air or water; also describes a surface that is completely clean and free of marks.

Example

The stainless steel kitchen counter stayed bright after years of daily use.

attributive use: stainless steel [material]

Gabriel wiped the stainless pot with a cloth, and it looked as good as new.

Common collocations
  • stainless steel
  • stainless cookware
  • stainless surface
  • stainless finish
  • stainless blade
Synonyms
  • rustproof

    only about corrosion, not about general stains or marks

  • spotless

    focuses on being perfectly clean rather than resistant to damage

  • untarnished

    usually describes metals whose shine has not faded; also used figuratively

Antonyms
  • rusty

    describes metal that has corroded

  • stained

    has visible marks or discolouration

  • tarnished

    lost its shine, usually referring to metal

Grammar Patterns

stainless + noun (e.g. stainless steel, stainless surface)

be + stainless

Usage Note

Most frequently used to describe stainless steel, a common alloy in kitchen tools and building materials. When used predicatively about non-metal surfaces, it simply means 'free of marks.'

Common Mistakes

This pan is stainless so it will never get dirty.
This pan is stainless so it resists rust and stains.
'stainless' does not mean 'immune to dirt'; it means 'resistant to rust and discolouration.'

2. having a moral character that cannot be criticized; used to describe a person wh

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

having a moral character that cannot be criticized; used to describe a person who has done nothing wrong or shameful, especially over a long period.

Example

The judge had a stainless reputation after forty years of honest service.

collocation: stainless reputation

The charity's leader was known for her stainless character and fair decisions.

collocation: stainless character

Common collocations
  • stainless reputation
  • stainless character
  • stainless record
  • stainless conduct
  • stainless name
Synonyms
  • blameless

    emphasises that no fault can be found; similar in formality

  • irreproachable

    more formal, used in official or legal contexts

  • spotless

    slightly less formal, common in everyday language about records and reputations

Antonyms
  • guilty

    opposite in legal or moral contexts

  • corrupt

    implies dishonesty or moral decay

  • disgraced

    having lost public respect due to wrongdoing

Grammar Patterns

stainless + noun (e.g. stainless reputation, stainless character)

be + stainless

Usage Note

Used in formal or literary contexts to describe moral character or public reputation. The closest everyday synonym is 'spotless' (e.g. 'a spotless record'). Less common in conversation than in written praise or official descriptions.

Common Mistakes

She has a stainless personality.
She has a stainless reputation.
'stainless' in this sense typically modifies reputation, character, conduct, or record, not general personality traits.

stainless — noun

Word family

  • stain
    nounB1
  • stain
    verbB1
  • stained
    adjectiveB1
  • unstained
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe freedom from marks or damage, but they differ in scope. 'Rustproof' is the narrowest term, referring only to a material's ability to resist corrosion — you can call a chain 'rustproof' but not a countertop that merely looks clean. 'Spotless' emphasises the visual result: a surface with no spots or stains at all, whether or not it is resistant to future damage. 'Untarnished' historically applied to metals whose shine had not dulled, but it is now also used figuratively (e.g. 'an untarnished reputation'). 'Immaculate' suggests a higher degree of perfection, often implying that something has been carefully cleaned or is completely without flaw. For example, a chef's 'immaculate apron' looks freshly pressed and stain-free, while a 'stainless steel pan' might be 'stainless' by material but not necessarily 'immaculate' at the moment.

rustproofspotlessuntarnishedimmaculate

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed in English from the noun 'stain' (meaning a mark or discolouration) plus the suffix '-less' (meaning 'without'). 'Stain' came into English from Old French 'deinteindre' (to discolour or dye), which itself traces back to Latin 'dis-' (apart) + 'tingere' (to dye or colour). The word originally described physical marks, and the figurative moral sense developed later in English.