stigma

noun

stig·​ma ˈstig-mə 

plural stigmas or stigmata stig-ˈmä-tə  ˈstig-mə-tə 

1

a

: a set of negative and unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something

One of the major obstacles to persons seeking treatment for addiction is the stigma attached to the disease.

—Bob Gaydos

For many years, e-bikes carried the stigma of being vehicles for lazy pedalers and seniors.

—Brian X. Chen

Given the stigma attached to welfare, some children's advocates have come to the view that the soundest way, politically, to help poor children is to help all.

—Paul Taylor

b

: a mark of shame or discredit : stain

bore the stigma of cowardice

c

plural usually stigmata : an identifying mark or characteristic

specifically : a specific diagnostic sign of a disease

2

a

plural usually stigmas : the usually apical part of the pistil of a flower which receives the pollen grains and on which they germinate see flower illustration

b

: a small spot, scar, or opening on a plant or animal

3

a

stigmata plural : bodily marks or pains resembling the wounds of the crucified Jesus and sometimes accompanying religious ecstasy

b

: petechia

4

archaic : a scar left by a hot iron : brand

stigmal

ˈstig-məl 

adjective

Did you know?

Stigma was borrowed from Latin stigmat- , stigma, meaning "mark, brand," and ultimately comes from Greek stizein, meaning "to tattoo." Earliest English use hews close to the word's origin: stigma in English first referred to a scar left by a hot iron—that is, a brand. In modern use the scar is figurative: stigma most often refers to a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something—for example, people talk about the stigma associated with mental illness, or the stigma of poverty. When the plural form stigmata is used, the context is frequently religious: stigmata typically refers to bodily marks or pains resembling the wounds of the crucified Jesus and sometimes accompanying religious ecstasy. The first person said to have experienced this miraculous infliction of stigmata is St. Francis of Assisi, in the 13th century.

Synonyms

• stain
• taint
• guilt
• shame
• blot

Examples of stigma in a Sentence

There's a social stigma attached to receiving welfare.

the stigma of slavery remained long after it had been abolished

Recent Examples on the Web

Using a phone to check your email or calendar are secondhand actions for workers, done without any stigma. —John Schneider, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

This helps reduce stigma and empowers women to seek care that addresses the root causes of their health changes. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 20 June 2025

To avoid the stigma of not working, these people are obliged to camouflage their retirement with various occupations even though they are born retired. —Eileen Chang, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025

Many formerly incarcerated individuals—locked up for doing what’s now legal—are locked out of the industry due to complicated licensing systems and lingering stigma. —Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 16 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin stigmat-, stigma mark, brand, from Greek, from stizein to tattoo — more at stick

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Rhymes for stigma

• sigma
• enigma
• kerygma

Kids Definition

stigma

noun

stig·​ma ˈstig-mə 

plural stigmata stig-ˈmät-ə  ˈstig-mət-ə  or stigmas

1

a

: a mark of shame : stain

b

: an identifying mark or characteristic

especially : a specific sign that indicates the presence of a disease

2

stigmata plural : bodily marks or pains resembling the wounds of Jesus when nailed on the cross

3

a

: a small spot, scar, or opening on a plant or animal

b

: the upper part of the pistil of a flower which receives the pollen grains and on which they start to grow

stigmatic

stig-ˈmat-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

stigma

noun

stig·​ma ˈstig-mə 

plural stigmata stig-ˈmät-ə  ˈstig-mət-ə  or stigmas

1

: an identifying mark or characteristic

specifically : a specific diagnostic sign of a disease

the stigmata of syphilis

2

: petechia

3

: a small spot, scar, or opening on a plant or animal