noun
stigma
STIHG-muh
noun
1
A mark of shame or disgrace attached to a person, group, or condition.
"There is still a stigma attached to seeking help for mental health."
"The disease carries an unfair social stigma in many communities."
2
In botany, the sticky tip of a flower's pistil that receives pollen.
"Pollen sticks to the stigma as the bee brushes past."
How to Use Stigma
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA feeling of shame society attaches to something, or (in biology) the part of a flower that catches pollen.
Common mistake
The plural for the social-disgrace sense is usually "stigmas"; the plural "stigmata" is reserved for the marks resembling Christ's wounds.
Common pairings
social stigma
stigma attached to
remove the stigma
Word Forms
stigmata plural, stigmas plural, stigmas plural
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There is still a _____ attached to seeking help for mental health.
Etymology
From Greek stigma, "a mark made by a pointed instrument" — originally a brand burned into the skin of slaves or criminals.