stale
7 synonyms and 1 antonyms for stale, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — No longer fresh; dried out or gone off, especially food or drink.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use stale
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English stale, from Old French estal (“fixed position, place”), but probably originally from Proto-Germanic *stāną (“to stand”): compare West Flemish stel in the same sense for ‘beer’ and ‘urine’.
Full origin of stale →Frequently asked questions
What does “stale” mean?
The word “stale” means no longer fresh; dried out or gone off, especially food or drink. In plain terms, past its best — food that has dried out, or an idea, joke, or routine that has been repeated too many times.
How do you pronounce “stale”?
“Stale” is pronounced stayl (/steɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “stale” in a sentence?
Here is “stale” used in a sentence: “The bread had gone stale after sitting out overnight.”
What is another word for “stale”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stale” include handle, haft, helve, shaft, snath and the shaft of a scythe.
What is the opposite of “stale”?
The opposite of “stale” — its antonyms — is fresh.
What part of speech is “stale”?
Depending on how it is used, “stale” can be an adjective and a verb.
Is “stale” a common word?
“Stale” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “stale” have?
“Stale” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: no longer fresh; dried out or gone off, especially food or drink.