stow
B2Neutral to slightly formal. Common in nautical, logistical, and travel contexts.
Definition
Meaning
to put or pack something away neatly in a particular place, especially to save space.
To hide, store, or conceal; to desist or cease (archaic, as in 'stow it!'); to accept or tolerate (colloquial, as in 'I can't stow this behaviour').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a deliberate, neat, space-efficient act of placing something out of the way. Often implies preparation for travel or storage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Both use 'stow away' for hiding on a vehicle.
Connotations
In British English, slightly more associated with nautical/aviation contexts. In American English, common in logistics (e.g., warehouse 'stowage').
Frequency
Equally common in both variants, though possibly more frequent in US logistical/industrial jargon.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
stow + OBJECT (stow the bags)stow + OBJECT + LOCATIVE ADVERBIAL/PREP PHRASE (stow the luggage in the boot)stow away + (from) (he stowed away on a freighter)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stow it! (slang: be quiet/stop)”
- “stow away (to hide on a ship/plane)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Logistics: 'Stow the pallets in Bay 4.' Inventory management.
Academic
Rare, except in historical/nautical studies.
Everyday
Travel: 'Please stow your tray table.' Home organization: 'I'll stow these winter clothes.'
Technical
Aviation: 'Stow all loose items.' Shipping: 'Stowage plan.' Sailing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please stow your cabin baggage securely in the overhead locker.
- The sailors stowed the ropes neatly in the locker.
- He told his noisy friend to 'stow it'.
American English
- Flight attendants ask passengers to stow electronic devices for takeoff.
- We need to stow these supplies in the basement before the storm.
- The longshoremen stowed the cargo in the ship's hold.
adverb
British English
- N/A for base form 'stow'. 'Stowably' is extremely rare/not standard.
American English
- N/A for base form 'stow'. 'Stowably' is extremely rare/not standard.
adjective
British English
- The stowable seats folded into the floor. (derived participle as adjective)
- N/A for base form.
American English
- The table has a stow-away feature. (derived compound adjective)
- N/A for base form.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Stow your bag under the seat.
- Can you stow these toys in the box?
- The crew stowed the lifeboats after the drill.
- Make sure you stow your passport in a safe place.
- Before landing, all tray tables must be stowed and seatbacks upright.
- He managed to stow away on a container ship bound for Europe.
- The museum's vast collection is meticulously stowed in climate-controlled archives.
- She advised him to stow his indignation and focus on the practicalities.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **STO**waway who has to **W**edge himself into a small space. STOW = Store Tightly Or Wedge.
Conceptual Metaphor
MIND IS A CONTAINER (archaic/colloquial: 'stow your complaints'); ORGANIZATION IS NEAT PACKING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'to steal'. Не 'украсть'.
- Not a general 'put'. More specific than 'класть'. Implies order and purpose.
- False friend with 'стоять' (to stand). No relation.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'stow' for casual placing (e.g., 'I stowed my phone on the table' – unnatural).
- Confusing 'stow away' (hide) with 'store away' (put in storage).
- Misspelling as 'store' in the specific 'stow away' context.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'stow' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Stow' implies putting something away neatly, safely, and intentionally out of the way, often for storage or travel. 'Put' is far more general.
'Store' is broader, meaning to keep for future use. 'Stow' focuses on the action of packing or placing it away neatly in a specific spot. You store winter clothes for a season, but you stow them in a specific trunk.
It has two meanings: 1) To hide on a ship, aircraft, etc., to travel secretly or without paying. 2) To put something away into its storage space.
Yes, but it's colloquial or archaic. E.g., 'Stow your nonsense!' (stop talking nonsense) or 'He stowed his anger' (suppressed it). The primary use is physical.