What does TAINT mean?

Taint 1. Parts of Speech

Noun, verb

2. Definitions

As a noun, taint means a trace of a bad or undesirable quality or substance. As a verb, it means to contaminate or pollute something with a bad or undesirable substance.

3. Pronunciations

US: /teɪnt/

UK: /teɪnt/

4. Origin and Usage

The word taint comes from the Old French word teindre, meaning "to dye or color." Its usage dates back to the 14th century. The word is commonly used in English to describe something that has been contaminated or polluted with an undesirable substance or quality.

5. Synonyms

Contaminate, pollute, infect, spoil, stain, corrupt, defile, sully, mar, tarnish, blemish.

6. Related Words

Paint, faint, saint, point, joint, print, feint, stint, plaint, quint.

7. Example Sentences

• The water had a taint of chlorine that made it unpleasant to drink.
• The meat was found to be tainted with salmonella bacteria.
• She believed that the scandal had tainted her reputation.
• The oil spill taints the ocean and harms the marine life.
• He was accused of tainting the election with his corrupt practices.