stay
A1 (Extremely High Frequency)Neutral; appropriate for all registers from casual to formal.
Definition
Meaning
To remain in a particular place, state, or condition; to not leave or change.
To temporarily reside somewhere as a guest or visitor; to pause or delay an action; to continue to be in a specified position or job; (in law) to stop or postpone a judicial proceeding.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, primarily indicates a lack of movement or change. As a noun, refers to the act of staying or a period of residence. Can imply temporary duration or deliberate choice to remain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Stay' is used identically in core meanings. Slight preference in British English for 'stop' or 'remain' in some formal contexts where American might use 'stay' (e.g., 'The judge ordered the proceedings to stop/be stayed').
Connotations
Equally neutral in both dialects. The noun 'stay' (period of residence) is slightly more formal in both, with 'visit' being more common in casual speech.
Frequency
Extremely high and identical in frequency across both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
intransitive (He stayed.)intransitive + adverbial/prepositional phrase (Stay here. Stay in bed.)copular verb + adjective (Stay quiet. Stay healthy.)transitive (archaic/formal: Stay your hand.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stay the distance”
- “stay put”
- “stay ahead of the game”
- “stay on one's toes”
- “come to stay”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To continue in a role or position. 'She will stay on as interim CEO.'
Academic
To persist or remain constant in a condition. 'The population levels stayed stable.'
Everyday
To not leave a place or to visit. 'Can you stay for a cup of tea?'
Technical
(Engineering/Law) To halt or postpone. 'The court issued a stay of execution.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- Their stay in the countryside was very refreshing.
- The order is subject to a stay pending appeal.
American English
- He enjoyed his stay at the resort.
- The lawyer filed for a stay of proceedings.
verb
British English
- Please stay seated until the lecture is finished.
- We decided to stay in a charming B&B in the Cotswolds.
- The weather is expected to stay fine for the weekend.
American English
- You can stay with us when you visit Chicago.
- The judge ordered a stay of the lower court's ruling.
- Try to stay focused during the meeting.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children stayed at their grandmother's house.
- Stay on the path, it's safer.
- We had a lovely two-night stay.
- Despite the pressure, she stayed calm and professional.
- The new regulations are likely to stay in place for years.
- Can you stay behind after class for a moment?
- The company managed to stay ahead of its competitors by innovating constantly.
- He was granted a stay of deportation while his case was reviewed.
- The judge imposed a stay on the implementation of the law, citing constitutional concerns.
- Her influence in the department has stayed undiminished for decades.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STAY in a hotel – you reSTAY there. The word 'stay' is in the middle of 'reSTAYn' which means to hold back or keep in place.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMMOBILITY IS STAYING (e.g., 'Stay frozen.'), CONTINUITY IS STAYING (e.g., 'Stay happy.'), RESISTANCE TO CHANGE IS STAYING (e.g., 'Stay the course.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'stand' (стоять). 'Stay' is about *remaining*, not the physical posture of standing. E.g., 'Stay here' means remain here, not necessarily stand up here.
- The noun 'stay' (пребывание/визит) is less common than the verb. In casual speech, 'visit' is often used for the noun form.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'stay' instead of 'live' for permanent residence. (Incorrect: 'I stay in London.' Correct for permanent home: 'I live in London.')
- Overusing 'stay' for all forms of 'waiting'. (Incorrect: 'Stay for the bus.' Better: 'Wait for the bus.')
Practice
Quiz
In a legal context, what does 'a stay' most commonly refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Remain' is often more formal and can emphasize what is left behind after others have gone ('Only three employees remained'). 'Stay' is more common in everyday speech and often implies a conscious choice to not leave ('I'll stay at home tonight'). They are frequently interchangeable.
Yes. As a noun, it means a period of time spent living somewhere temporarily (e.g., 'a hotel stay') or, in law, an order to stop a legal process (e.g., 'a stay of execution').
No, not for a permanent home. 'I live in London' is correct. 'I am staying in London' implies a temporary visit or a short-term arrangement.
It means to not go to bed, to remain awake later than usual (e.g., 'We stayed up all night talking').
Collections
Part of a collection
Daily Verbs
A1 · 50 words · Essential action words used in everyday conversation.