stainless

1 of 2

adjective

stain·​less ˈstān-ləs 

1

: free from stain or stigma

the stainless purity of his boyish life

—Oscar Wilde

2

a

: highly resistant to stain or corrosion

b

: made from materials resistant to stain

stainless silverware

stainlessly adverb

stainless

2 of 2

noun

: tableware made of stainless steel

Synonyms

Adjective

• antiseptic
• chaste
• clean
• fair
• immaculate
• pristine
• spick-and-span
• spic-and-span
• spotless
• squeaky-clean
• unsoiled
• unstained
• unsullied

Examples of stainless in a Sentence

Adjective

nothing less than a perfectly stainless sheet of parchment would do for a diploma

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The eat-in kitchen looks almost plucked from the 1950s, but for the jazzy tiled backsplash and up-to-date stainless appliances. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2024

Abutting a spacious fireside family room is a gourmet kitchen boasting Carrara marble and solid walnut countertops, dual islands, and stainless appliances. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2024

Noun

Color choices include black stainless/copper, black stainless/modern brush brass, white/copper, stainless steel/white, stainless steel, and black. —Terri Williams, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

Despite the recent love for white appliances, designers report seeing little pushback against stainless. —Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1953, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stainless

• stainless steel