Stain vs. Mark — What's the Difference?

Unwanted discoloration due to spills or exposure to substances.

Can be an intentional or accidental indication.

Often challenging to remove, requiring specific cleaning methods.

Removal and permanence depend on the type and purpose of the mark.

Can penetrate and sometimes damage the material.

Encompasses a range of indications like scratches, imprints, or writings.

Usually has a negative impact on the appearance.

Not always related to discoloration; can include physical alterations.

Associated with soiling or contamination.

Some marks are valued or serve a purpose.

A stain is a discoloration that can be clearly distinguished from the surface, material, or medium it is found upon. They are caused by the chemical or physical interaction of two dissimilar materials.

Insert punctuation marks into

To discolor, soil, or spot

A small area on a surface having a different colour from its surroundings, typically one caused by damage or dirt

To bring into disrepute; taint or tarnish

A line, figure, or symbol made as an indication or record of something

To change the color of (a piece of wood, for example) by applying a stain.

A point awarded for a correct answer or for proficiency in an examination or competition

To treat (a specimen for the microscope) with a reagent or dye in order to identify cell or tissue structures or microorganisms.

(followed by a numeral) a particular model or type of a vehicle or machine

To produce or receive discolorations

A target

A discolored or soiled spot or smudge

The act of cleanly catching the ball direct from a kick, knock-on, or forward throw by an opponent, on or behind one's own 22-metre line, and exclaiming ‘Mark’, after which a free kick can be taken by the catcher.

A diminishment of one's moral character or good reputation by being associated with something disgraceful.

(until the introduction of the euro in 2002) the basic monetary unit of Germany, equal to 100 pfennig; a Deutschmark

A liquid substance applied especially to wood that penetrates the surface and imparts a rich color.

A former English and Scottish money of account, equal to thirteen shillings and four pence in the currency of the day

A reagent or dye used for staining microscopic specimens.

The basic monetary unit of Bosnia and Herzegovina, equal to 100 fening.

A discoloured spot or area.

Make a visible impression or stain on

A blemish on one's character or reputation.

Write a word or symbol on (an object) in order to give information

A substance used to soak into a surface and colour it.

Indicate the position of

A reagent or dye used to stain microscope specimens so as to make some structures visible.

(of a teacher or examiner) assess the standard of (written work) by assigning points for proficiency or correct answers

(heraldry) Any of a number of non-standard tinctures used in modern heraldry.

Notice or pay careful attention to

To taint or tarnish someone's character or reputation

(of a player in a team game) stay close to (an opponent) in order to prevent them getting or passing the ball

To coat a surface with a stain

See Table at Bible.

(intransitive) To become stained; to take a stain.

A visible trace or impression, such as a line or spot

To treat (a microscopic specimen) with a dye, especially one that dyes specific features

A name, logo, or other indicator used to indicate ownership, origin, or level of quality.

To cause to seem inferior or soiled by comparison.

A notch made in an animal's ear or hide to indicate ownership.

To color, as wood, glass, paper, cloth, or the like, by processes affecting, chemically or otherwise, the material itself; to tinge with a color or colors combining with, or penetrating, the substance; to dye; as, to stain wood with acids, colored washes, paint rubbed in, etc.; to stain glass.

A sign, such as a cross, made in lieu of a signature.

To spot with guilt or infamy; to bring reproach on; to blot; to soil; to tarnish.

A written or printed symbol used for punctuation; a punctuation mark.

To cause to seem inferior or soiled by comparison.

A number, letter, or symbol used to indicate various grades of academic achievement

To give or receive a stain; to grow dim.

Often marks An appraisal; a rating

A discoloration by foreign matter; a spot; as, a stain on a garment or cloth.

A knot or piece of material placed at various measured lengths on a sounding line to indicate the depth of the water.

A natural spot of a color different from the gound.

A Plimsoll mark.

Taint of guilt; tarnish; disgrace; reproach.

A distinctive trait or property

Cause of reproach; shame.

A recognized standard of quality

A tincture; a tinge.

A lasting effect

A soiled or discolored appearance;

A specific model, type, or iteration, as of a product or machine, especially when part of a series. Usually used with a number

(microscopy) a dye or other coloring material that is used in microscopy to make structures visible

Importance; prominence

The state of being covered with unclean things

Notice; attention

A symbol of disgrace or infamy;

A target

An act that brings discredit to the person who does it;

Something that one wishes to achieve; a goal.

Color with a liquid dye or tint;

An object or point that serves as a guide.

Produce or leave stains;

(Slang) A person who is the intended victim of a swindler; a dupe.

Make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically;

(Sports) The place from which racers begin and sometimes end their contest.

Color for microscopic study;

A point reached or gained

A record

A strike or spare in bowling.

A stationary ball in lawn bowling; a jack.

A boundary between countries.

A tract of land in medieval England and Germany held in common by a community.

(Computers) A character or feature in a file, record, or data stream used to locate a specific point or condition.

In Arthurian legend, a king of Cornwall who was the husband of Iseult and the uncle of her lover Tristan.

An English and Scottish unit of currency that was equal to 13 shillings and 4 pence.

Any of several European units of weight that were equal to about 8 ounces (227 grams), used especially for weighing gold and silver.

A deutsche mark.

A markka.

To make a visible trace or impression on, as with a spot, line, or dent

To form, make, or depict by making a mark

To supply with natural markings

To single out or indicate by or as if by a mark

To distinguish or characterize

To make conspicuous

To set off or separate by or as if by a line or boundary

To attach or affix identification, such as a price tag or maker's label, to.

To evaluate (academic work) according to a scale of letters or numbers; grade.

To give attention to; notice

To take note of in writing; write down

Sports & Games To record (the score) in various games.

(Sports) To guard (an opponent), as in soccer.

To make a visible impression

To receive a visible impression

Sports & Games To keep score.

To determine academic grades

(heading) Boundary, land within a boundary.

(obsolete) A boundary; a border or frontier.

(obsolete) A boundary-post or fence.

A stone or post used to indicate position and guide travellers.

(archaic) A type of small region or principality.

(historical) A common, or area of common land, especially among early Germanic peoples.

(heading) Characteristic, sign, visible impression.

An omen; a symptomatic indicator of something.

A characteristic feature.

A visible impression or sign; a blemish, scratch, or stain, whether accidental or intentional.

A sign or brand on a person.

A written character or sign.

A stamp or other indication of provenance, quality etc.

(obsolete) Resemblance, likeness, image.

A particular design or make of an item now usually with following numeral.

A score for finding the correct answer, or other academic achievement; the sum of such points gained as out of a possible total.

(heading) Indicator of position, objective etc.

A target for shooting at with a projectile.

An indication or sign used for reference or measurement.

The target or intended victim of a swindle, fixed game or con game.

(obsolete) The female genitals.

(Rugby football, Australian rules football) A catch of the ball directly from a kick of 10 metres or more without having been touched in transit, resulting in a free kick.

(sports) The line indicating an athlete's starting-point.

A score for a sporting achievement.

An official note that is added to a record kept about someone's behavior or performance.

(cooking) A specified level on a scale denoting gas-powered oven temperatures.

(product design/engineering) The model number of a device; a device model.

Limit or standard of action or fact.

Badge or sign of honour, rank, or official station.

(archaic) Preeminence; high position.

(logic) A characteristic or essential attribute; a differential.

(nautical) One of the bits of leather or coloured bunting placed upon a sounding line at intervals of from two to five fathoms. (The unmarked fathoms are called "deeps".)

(heading) Attention.

(archaic) Attention, notice.

Importance, noteworthiness. Generally in postmodifier “of mark”.

(obsolete) Regard; respect.

A measure of weight (especially for gold and silver), once used throughout Europe, equivalent to 8 oz.

An English and Scottish unit of currency (originally valued at one mark weight of silver), equivalent to 13 shillings and fourpence.

Any of various European monetary units, especially the base unit of currency of (West) Germany between 1948 and 2002, equal to 100 pfennigs.

A coin worth one mark.

To put a mark on (something); to make (something) recognizable by a mark; to label or write on (something).

(figurative) To have a long-lasting negative impact on (someone or something).

To create an indication of (a location).

To be an indication of (something); to show where (something) is located.

To indicate (something) in writing or by other symbols.

To create (a mark) on a surface.

To celebrate or acknowledge (an event) through an action of some kind.

(of things) To identify (someone as a particular type of person or as having a particular role).

(of people) To assign (someone) to a particular category or class.

(of people) To choose or intend (someone) for a particular end or purpose.

To be a point in time or space at which something takes place; to accompany or be accompanied by (an event, action, etc.); to coincide with.

To be typical or characteristic of (something).

To distinguish (one person or thing from another).

To focus one's attention on (something or someone); to pay attention to, to take note of.

(dated) To become aware of (something) through the physical senses.

To hold (someone) in one's line of sight.

To indicate the correctness of and give a score to (a school assignment, exam answers, etc.).

To record that (someone) has a particular status.

To keep account of; to enumerate and register; to keep score.

(sports) To follow a player not in possession of the ball when defending, to prevent them receiving a pass easily.

(Australian rules football) To catch the ball directly from a kick of 15 metres or more without having been touched in transit, resulting in a free kick.

(golf) To put a marker in the place of one's ball.

(singing) To sing softly, sometimes an octave lower than usual, in order to protect one's voice during a rehearsal.

Alternative form of march.

A license of reprisals. See Marque.

An old weight and coin. See Marc.

The unit of monetary account of the German Empire, equal to 23.8 cents of United States money (1913); the equivalent of one hundred pfennigs. Also, a silver coin of this value. The unit was retained by subsequent German states up to the time of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1995, the value was approximately 65 cents American. In 1999 it began to be superseded by the Euro as a unit of currency in Germany and throughout much of the European union.

A character or device put on an article of merchandise by the maker to show by whom it was made; a trade-mark.

A fixed object serving for guidance, as of a ship, a traveler, a surveyor, etc.; as, a seamark, a landmark.

A trace, dot, line, imprint, or discoloration, although not regarded as a token or sign; a scratch, scar, stain, etc.; as, this pencil makes a fine mark.

An evidence of presence, agency, or influence; a significative token; a symptom; a trace; specifically, a permanent impression of one's activity or character.

That toward which a missile is directed; a thing aimed at; what one seeks to hit or reach.

Attention, regard, or respect.

Limit or standard of action or fact; as, to be within the mark; to come up to the mark.

Badge or sign of honor, rank, or official station.

Preëminence; high position; as, patricians of mark; a fellow of no mark.

A characteristic or essential attribute; a differential.

A number or other character used in registering; as, examination marks; a mark for tardiness.

Image; likeness; hence, those formed in one's image; children; descendants.

One of the bits of leather or colored bunting which are placed upon a sounding line at intervals of from two to five fathoms. The unmarked fathoms are called "deeps."

To put a mark upon; to affix a significant mark to; to make recognizable by a mark; as, to mark a box or bale of merchandise; to mark clothing.

To be a mark upon; to designate; to indicate; - used literally and figuratively; as, this monument marks the spot where Wolfe died; his courage and energy marked him for a leader.

To leave a trace, scratch, scar, or other mark, upon, or any evidence of action; as, a pencil marks paper; his hobnails marked the floor.

To keep account of; to enumerate and register; as, to mark the points in a game of billiards or cards.

To notice or observe; to give attention to; to take note of; to remark; to heed; to regard; as, mark my words.

To take particular notice; to observe critically; to note; to remark.

A number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance);

A distinguishing symbol;

A reference point to shoot at;

A visible indication made on a surface;

The impression created by doing something unusual or extraordinary that people notice and remember;

A symbol of disgrace or infamy;

Formerly the basic unit of money in Germany

Apostle and companion of Saint Peter; assumed to be the author of the second Gospel

A person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of

A written or printed symbol (as for punctuation);

A perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened);

The shortest of the four Gospels in the New Testament

An indication of damage

Marking consisting of crossing lines

Something that exactly succeeds in achieving its goal;

Attach a tag or label to;

Designate as if by a mark;

Be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense;

Mark by some ceremony or observation;

Make or leave a mark on;

To accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful;

Notice or perceive;

Mark with a scar;

Make small marks into the surface of;

Establish as the highest level or best performance;

Make underscoring marks

Remove from a list;

Put a check mark on or next to;

Assign a grade or rank to, according to one's evaluation;

Yes, marks can have positive connotations, such as signatures, artistic marks, or intentional designs.

While some marks may cause discoloration and be considered stains, not all marks are stains, as they can also include physical alterations without discoloration.

A scratch is considered a mark, as it involves a physical alteration of the surface rather than a discoloration.

Common methods include using detergents, solvents, bleach, or specialized stain removers, depending on the stain type and affected material.

A stain primarily indicates unwanted discoloration, while a mark can be any indication, not necessarily involving discoloration.

Not all stains are permanent; many can be removed with appropriate cleaning methods, although some may be more stubborn.

Professionals use specialized cleaning agents and techniques, often tailored to the specific type of stain and material affected.

Preventive measures include using protective coatings, being cautious with potentially staining substances, and prompt cleaning of spills.

A stain is defined as an unwanted discoloration on a surface or fabric, often resulting from spills or contact with staining substances.

In some cases, a mark could become a stain if it leads to discoloration or is treated with substances that cause staining.

Not always, but certain stains, especially from corrosive substances, can affect the material's texture or integrity.

Yes, depending on the context and surface, a substance like ink could cause a discoloration (stain) or a deliberate indication (mark).

Sunlight can cause some stains to fade, but it can also set others, making them more difficult to remove. Some marks may become more pronounced or fade under sunlight.

Yes, artists sometimes intentionally use stains and marks as part of their creative process to add texture, depth, or meaning to their work.