staff
B1Neutral to formal in the 'people' sense; technical/musical/archaic in other senses.
Definition
Meaning
The group of people who work for an organization, institution, or company; also a long stick used for support or as a symbol of authority.
As a collective noun for employees, often implying shared responsibility and teamwork. In music, refers to the set of horizontal lines on which notes are written (also called a 'stave'). In heraldry and symbolism, a rod representing authority. In surveying/engineering, a graduated rod for measuring levels.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a collective noun for people, it is usually treated as singular in British English ('The staff is...'), though plural treatment is common, especially when referring to individuals. In American English, plural treatment is more frequent. It does not typically take an 's' in the plural when meaning people (e.g., 'staff members', not 'staffs'). 'Staffs' as a plural refers to multiple sticks or multiple groups of people (e.g., 'the staffs of several departments').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: Strongly prefers singular verb agreement for the collective ('The staff is meeting'). US: More readily uses plural verb agreement ('The staff are meeting'). In the US, 'staff' can also be used as a verb meaning to provide with personnel ('to staff an office'). This verbal use is less common in UK English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it implies a formal or organized group. In a hospital or school context, it distinguishes employees from clients/students.
Frequency
Very high frequency in business, institutional, and organizational contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[ORG] has [ADJ] staff[ORG] employs a staff of [NUMBER]The staff [VERB]to be on the staff of [ORG]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “skeleton staff”
- “staff of life”
- “on the staff”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to all employees collectively. 'We need to hire more staff to handle the increased workload.'
Academic
Often refers to non-teaching administrative and support personnel, but also 'academic staff' for teachers/researchers.
Everyday
Used for people working in shops, restaurants, etc. 'The hotel staff were very helpful.'
Technical
In music: 'the notes are written on a five-line staff'. In surveying: 'a leveling staff'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The entire school staff was invited to the ceremony.
- He carried a walking staff on the hike.
- The melody was written on the upper staff.
American English
- The office staff are planning a party.
- She leaned on her staff for support.
- The bass part is on the lower staff.
verb
British English
- The new clinic will be staffed by trained nurses.
- They are finding it hard to staff the night shift.
American English
- We need to staff the project with experts.
- The shelter is staffed entirely by volunteers.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There are five people on the staff at my cafe.
- The teacher talked to the school staff.
- The company employs a staff of over 200.
- The hospital staff work very long hours.
- Despite staff turnover, the department maintained its efficiency.
- The editorial staff are finalising the next issue.
- The museum is staffed by a dedicated team of curators and educators.
- A skeleton staff was maintained during the holiday period.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a long wooden STAFF held by the chief, around whom all the tribe's workers (STAFF) are gathered.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS A BODY (staff as the limbs/workers), SUPPORT/AUTHORITY IS A PHYSICAL PROP (the stick).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'штаб' (headquarters). The closest equivalent is 'персонал' or 'сотрудники'. 'Staff' is a collective noun, unlike 'worker' which is individual.
Common Mistakes
- Using plural verb for singular collective in UK contexts (e.g., 'The staff are' -> considered less formal).
- Adding an unnecessary 's' for the plural of people (e.g., 'Many staffs' -> should be 'Many staff' or 'Many staff members').
- Confusing 'staff' (people) with 'stuff' (things).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'staff' correctly as a collective noun for people?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. In British English, it is often treated as a singular collective noun ('the staff is'). In American English and increasingly in British English when focusing on individuals, it is treated as plural ('the staff are').
The word 'staff' itself is often used as a plural noun ('many staff'). To be clear, you can use 'staff members' or 'employees'. 'Staffs' refers to multiple groups of people (e.g., 'the staffs of three universities') or multiple sticks.
'Employee' is an individual person employed by someone. 'Staff' is a collective term for all the employees of an organization. You would say 'She is an employee' or 'She is a member of staff'.
Yes, primarily in American and business English. It means to provide with staff or to work as staff. Example: 'The centre is staffed 24 hours a day.'