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noun Uncommon

stigma

STIHG-muh
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Stigma (noun) means a mark of shame or disgrace attached to a person, group, or condition. Example: “There is still a stigma attached to seeking help for mental health.”

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."
"Sadly, there is still a stigma around being unemployed in some small towns."
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 notes

In 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
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Word forms

Plural
stigmata, stigmas
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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disgrace dishonor taint stain blot discredit mark brand

Related words

make line kind type sign mark sort spot

Rhymes for stigma

sigma Enigma
See all rhymes for stigma →

Frequently asked questions

What does “stigma” mean?
The word “stigma” means a mark of shame or disgrace attached to a person, group, or condition. In plain terms, a feeling of shame society attaches to something, or (in biology) the part of a flower that catches pollen.
How do you pronounce “stigma”?
“Stigma” is pronounced STIHG-muh (/ˈstɪɡmə/ in IPA).
How do you use “stigma” in a sentence?
Here is “stigma” used in a sentence: “There is still a stigma attached to seeking help for mental health.”
What part of speech is “stigma”?
“Stigma” is a noun.
Where does the word “stigma” come from?
The word “stigma” comes from Greek. From Greek stigma, "a mark made by a pointed instrument" — originally a brand burned into the skin of slaves or criminals.
Is “stigma” a common word?
“Stigma” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “stigma” have?
“Stigma” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mark of shame or disgrace attached to a person, group, or condition.
What is the difference between "stigma" and "shame"?
"Stigma" is a mark of disgrace that society attaches to a person, group, or condition, while "shame" is the internal emotional feeling an individual experiences, often as a result of that stigma.
Is "stigma" always negative?
In its social sense, yes, it always carries a negative connotation of disapproval or disgrace, though the botanical sense referring to part of a flower is neutral and purely descriptive.
What is the plural of "stigma"?
The plural can be either "stigmas" or the Latin-derived "stigmata," with "stigmata" also carrying its own specific meaning in a religious context.
What does "stigma" mean in botany?
In botany, the stigma is the sticky tip at the top of a flower's pistil that receives pollen during pollination.

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