stamp
B1Neutral to formal. The verb is common in everyday use; the noun referring to postage is highly frequent; the noun meaning 'character' or 'impression' is more formal.
Definition
Meaning
To bring the foot down heavily; to impress a mark or pattern; a small adhesive label indicating postage.
To characterise or mark something strongly; to affix an official seal; to shape by pressing; to extinguish by stomping; a distinctive impression or characteristic.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, the primary meanings are physical action (stomp) and creation of a mark. The metaphorical use ('stamp out corruption') is strong. The noun meanings are distinct: a physical object for postage or a tool for imprinting, and an abstract quality ('the stamp of genius').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The postage noun is universally 'stamp'. The verb 'stamp' is identical. The metaphorical phrase 'stamp one's authority' is slightly more common in UK English. The tool for imprinting is a 'stamp' or 'rubber stamp' in both.
Connotations
UK English may slightly favour 'stamp' in formal contexts for 'give a particular character to' (e.g., 'stamped with quality'). US English uses 'stamp' freely for forceful action and metaphor.
Frequency
Both varieties use the word with comparable high frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
stamp [something] (with something)stamp on [something]stamp [something] outstamp [something] + adj. (e.g., stamp something flat)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stamp of approval”
- “stamp one's authority”
- “stamp one's foot”
- “bear the stamp of”
- “stamp out a problem”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to official approval ('We need the director's stamp on this contract'), a tax ('stamp duty'), or a metaphorical mark ('The merger bore the stamp of the new CEO').
Academic
Used to describe the imposition of characteristics ('The era was stamped by profound social change') or in philately (stamp collecting).
Everyday
Overwhelmingly refers to postage stamps and the physical action of stomping ('Don't stamp on the floor!').
Technical
In manufacturing, to shape metal with a die; in computing, a digital timestamp; in philately, the study of stamps.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- I need a first-class stamp for this letter.
- The certificate had the official stamp of the guild.
- His work bore the stamp of true originality.
- She heard the stamp of heavy boots in the hall.
American English
- Don't forget to put a stamp on the envelope.
- The design got the boss's stamp of approval.
- There was a stamp of urgency in his voice.
- The stamp of the dinosaur's foot was preserved in rock.
verb
British English
- He stamped his passport at the border.
- The council vowed to stamp out graffiti.
- The memory was stamped indelibly on her mind.
- She stamped on the burning ember.
American English
- The notary will stamp the document for you.
- We need to stamp out this practice immediately.
- The era was stamped by economic optimism.
- He stamped the mud off his boots.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Here is a stamp for your postcard.
- The child stamps his feet when he is angry.
- You must stamp your ticket before boarding the train.
- The new manager is trying to stamp her authority on the team.
- The legislation aims to stamp out tax evasion.
- His style is stamped with the influence of his early training.
- The treaty bears the stamp of hard-fought compromise.
- Attempts to stamp dissent into submission often prove counterproductive.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of STOMPing your foot to STAMP out a fire. The 'A' in stamp is like the mark left behind.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A PHYSICAL IMPRINT ('stamp his authority on the department'); ERADICATION IS STOMPING ('stamp out crime'); AUTHENTICATION IS A SEAL ('the stamp of authenticity').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing 'stamp' (штемпель, марка) with 'shrimp' (креветка) due to phonetic similarity. 'Food stamp' is талон на питание, not 'еда марка'. 'Stamp duty' is гербовый сбор.
- The verb 'to stamp' does not mean 'to stand' (стоять). 'Stamp your feet' is топать ногами, not 'стоять ногами'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'stamp' as a noun for a large sign (use 'sign' or 'placard').
- Incorrect preposition: 'stamp *in* the ground' instead of 'stamp *on* the ground'.
- Confusing 'stamp' (impress) with 'stomp' (which is purely heavy stepping).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase means 'to eliminate completely'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Food stamp' is a US term for a voucher for free food, now largely replaced by electronic benefit transfer cards. It's a different sense of 'stamp' meaning a ticket or authorization.
Both can mean to authenticate. 'Seal' often implies making something closed or airtight, or using melted wax. 'Stamp' implies using a physical tool to imprint a mark or signature, often on multiple documents.
Yes, metaphorically (e.g., 'stamp his personality on the project') and in compounds like 'timestamp', which records the exact time of a digital event.
A tax levied on certain legal documents, especially for property purchases, historically requiring a physical stamp to be attached as proof of payment. Common in the UK and some Commonwealth countries.