Stamp Meaning, Definition, and Synonyms

Stamp is a very flexible English word. It can mean a postal label, a mark or impression, or a verb meaning to press, mark, or crush something. It also has several less common senses, including walking heavily and classifying someone in a fixed way.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /stæmp/

Easy pronunciation: STAMP (approximate spelling).

Stress: One syllable; stress is on the whole word.

Noun meaning a postage label used to pay mailing costs.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Stamp Meaning

a postage label

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a small adhesive label used on letters or parcels to show postage has been paid

Example: I bought two stamps before mailing the letter.

Synonyms for this meaning:

postage stamp — The normal full term for this kind of stamp.
postage — Related to postal payment, but less exact as a direct substitute.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Stamp

Meaning 2

to step heavily

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to press or walk heavily

Example: He stamped across the room in anger.

Synonyms for this meaning:

stomp — A close informal synonym when the meaning is walking heavily.
stump — Can overlap in some contexts, but is less standard and less reliable as a substitute.

Meaning 3

a mark made by pressing

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a mark, impression, or imprint made by pressing, printing, or engraving

Example: The document bore the stamp of the court.

Synonyms for this meaning:

impression — A genuine substitute when stamp means a mark or imprint.

Meaning 4

to mark with an impression

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to mark or imprint something

Example: The company stamped the logo on every box.

Meaning 5

to label unfairly

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to treat or classify according to a stereotype

Example: It is wrong to stamp people as failures.

Synonyms for this meaning:

pigeonhole — Works when the meaning is placing someone into a fixed category.
stereotype — A close synonym in the sense of classifying by a rigid idea.

Meaning 6

a tax or fee label

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a government tax label or a similar adhesive mark showing payment of a fee

Example: The package needed a revenue stamp.

Synonyms for this meaning:

revenue stamp — The specific term for this kind of stamp.

Meaning 7

a tool that makes a mark

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a device or die used to make an imprint or to authenticate something

Example: The seal was made with a metal stamp.

Synonyms for this meaning:

seal — Can be related in function, though not always a direct substitute.

Meaning 8

a kind or sort

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a type or class of person or thing

Example: She was not the stamp of person who gave up easily.

Meaning 9

to wipe out

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to destroy or stop something completely

Example: The new law aims to stamp out corruption.

Meaning 10

to show clearly

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to reveal clearly as having a certain character

Example: Her work stamps her as a true professional.

Meaning 11

to shape with a die

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to form or cut out with a mold or die

Example: The parts are stamped from sheet metal.

Synonyms for this meaning:

emboss — Only fits when the meaning is raising a design in relief.
boss — A specialized technical overlap, not a broad everyday synonym.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Stamp Synonyms

Similar Meaning

postage stamp
stomp
impression
pigeonhole
stereotype

government tax label or fee label

revenue stamp

tool or device used to make an imprint

seal

form or cut out with a die

emboss
boss

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

Do not confuse stamp meaning a postage label with stamp meaning a mark or impression.
Do not use stamp as a synonym for a rubber seal unless the context is about making an imprint.
Stamp out means 'destroy completely,' not 'step on.'
Stomp is close to stamp only in the sense of walking heavily.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common meaning of stamp?

The most common everyday meaning is a postage stamp: a small adhesive label used on mail to show postage has been paid.

Is stamp always a noun?

No. Stamp can be a noun or a verb, depending on the sense.

What is a good synonym for stamp when it means to walk heavily?

Stomp is the closest common synonym in that sense.

Can stamp mean to label someone unfairly?

Yes. In that sense, it means to classify or label someone according to a stereotype.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.