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 patterns are as follows: Banana Mix: Vibrant fruits and florals on a blue background; available in the 24-ounce stainless cold cup. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2025

The kitchen, recently renovated, shows off quartz countertops and stainless appliances, plus a large peninsula. —Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 11 May 2025

Noun

Most Airbnb kitchens are equipped with thin stainless or nonstick pans that distribute heat unevenly (and are often warped). —Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025

Made with 100% chardonnay, the wine is whole-cluster pressed and aged in a mixture of wood cask, French oak and stainless. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 23 Dec. 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

Rhymes for stainless

• brainless
• painless
• rainless