stigma

/ˈstɪɡmə/
noun
  1. A strong feeling of disapproval or shame that society attaches to a particular characteristic, circumstance, or person.
    • There is still a stigma attached to mental illness in many communities.
    • The campaign aimed to reduce the stigma around seeking therapy.
    • He faced the stigma of being the only unemployed person in his family.
  2. A mark of disgrace or shame associated with a particular person or action.
    • She worked hard to overcome the stigma of her past mistakes.
    • The scandal left a stigma on his reputation that never faded.
    • In some cultures, divorce carries a heavy social stigma.
  3. The part of a flower that receives pollen during pollination.
    • The stigma must be receptive for pollination to succeed.
    • The bee landed on the stigma of the flower, transferring pollen.
    • In a lily, the stigma is at the top of the pistil and is sticky.
What does "stigma" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean