staycation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2informal, chiefly journalistic and conversational
Quick answer
What does “staycation” mean?
A holiday spent at home or in one's local area rather than traveling abroad.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A holiday spent at home or in one's local area rather than traveling abroad.
The practice of taking time off work but remaining in one's usual residence or nearby, often engaging in leisure activities, day trips, or treating one's home as a resort. This can also refer to simply relaxing and enjoying one's local surroundings without the stress and expense of travel.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word 'staycation' is used in both varieties. The base component is 'vacation' (AmE) vs. 'holiday' (BrE), but the portmanteau 'staycation' has become the standard term in both. In UK contexts, one might still hear explanatory phrases like 'a stay-at-home holiday'.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can have positive connotations of discovery, relaxation, and savvy budgeting, or slightly negative connotations of being unable to afford a 'proper' trip. The term saw a huge surge in use during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Frequency
Very high frequency in media and everyday speech during economic downturns or travel restrictions. Common in lifestyle sections, travel blogs, and personal finance advice.
Grammar
How to Use “staycation” in a Sentence
[Subject] is on a staycation.[Subject] decided to have/take a staycation.[Subject] spent [Time Period] on a staycation.We're staycationing this year.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “staycation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We're staycationing in Cornwall this summer, exploring coastal paths.
- After the flight chaos, many families chose to staycation.
American English
- We decided to staycation and finally visit all the museums in the city.
- He's staycationing at his lakeside cabin.
adjective
British English
- Staycation ideas are all over social media.
- They booked a staycation package at a city-centre hotel.
American English
- The staycation trend is booming this year.
- We need a good staycation plan for the kids.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing for local attractions, hotel deals targeting residents, and articles about consumer trends.
Academic
Rare in formal academic texts. May appear in sociology, tourism, or economics papers discussing leisure trends.
Everyday
Very common in personal plans and conversations, e.g., 'We're doing a staycation to save money.'
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “staycation”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “staycation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “staycation”
- Using it to mean any holiday within one's own country (it strongly implies staying at or very near home).
- Spelling as 'stay-cation' or 'staykation'.
- Using it in very formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A domestic holiday involves travel within your own country but often to a different region. A staycation specifically means staying in your own home or immediate local area.
Yes, informally. For example, 'We're staycationing this summer' is commonly understood, especially in spoken and journalistic English.
It can be either, depending on context. It can be positive when focusing on relaxation, local discovery, and financial sense. It can carry a slightly negative or ironic tone if used to imply someone cannot afford a 'real' holiday.
The word saw significant surges in popularity during the 2008 financial crisis and again during the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions, entering mainstream vocabulary from what was once niche media jargon.
A holiday spent at home or in one's local area rather than traveling abroad.
Staycation is usually informal, chiefly journalistic and conversational in register.
Staycation: in British English it is pronounced /steɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsteɪˌkeɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Make your home a haven (for your staycation).”
- “Explore your own backyard.”
- “Tourist in your own town.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
STAY + VACATION = STAYCATION. You STAY at home for your VACATION.
Conceptual Metaphor
HOME IS A RESORT. ONE'S LOCAL AREA IS AN UNEXPLORED COUNTRY.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of choosing a 'staycation'?