English · Word Candidate

stigma

/ˈstɪɡmə/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: stigmata · stigmas

Sense 1

Meaning · English

An indication of infamy or disgrace.

Noun

Examples

But to have as an enforced dining companion a man who was probably a Papist, certainly a rake, and bore the stigma of cowardice, was anathema.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An indication of infamy or disgrace. — A permanent identity mark branded, cut or tattooed onto the skin, typically given to slaves, criminals and traitors.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A ligature of the Greek letters sigma and tau: Ϛ / ϛ.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “stigma” mean?

An indication of infamy or disgrace.

Is “stigma” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.