stand
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for stand, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To be upright on one's feet, or to rise into that position.
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.
How to use stand
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English standan, "to stand, occupy a place," from a very old Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to stand" that also gave Latin stare and many related words across European languages.
Full origin of stand →Frequently asked questions
What does “stand” mean?
The word “stand” means to be upright on one's feet, or to rise into that position. In plain terms, to be upright on your feet, to stay in one place, to put up with something, or a small stall/support for holding things.
How do you pronounce “stand”?
“Stand” is pronounced STAND (/ˈstænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “stand” in a sentence?
Here is “stand” used in a sentence: “The old church still stands at the edge of the village.”
What part of speech is “stand”?
Depending on how it is used, “stand” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “stand” come from?
The word “stand” comes from Latin. From Old English standan, "to stand, occupy a place," from a very old Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to stand" that also gave Latin stare and many related words across European languages.
Is “stand” a common word?
“Stand” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “stand” have?
“Stand” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to be upright on one's feet, or to rise into that position.
What is the difference between stand and stand up?
Stand can mean either to be upright already or to rise, while stand up almost always stresses the action of getting to your feet from sitting or lying. "She stood by the window" describes a position; "please stand up" is a request to rise. The phrasal version highlights the movement itself.
What is the opposite of stand?
In the posture sense, the main opposites are sit, lie down, kneel, or crouch, all lower positions. If stand means to rise, its opposite is to sit down or lie down. Figuratively, stand can also mean to endure, whose opposite would be to give way or collapse.
What are the different meanings of stand?
Beyond being upright, stand has many senses: to tolerate something ("I can't stand the noise"), to remain valid ("the offer still stands"), to be a candidate ("stand for election"), and, as a noun, a structure or a firm position. Most senses connect to the idea of holding steady.
What is an example of using stand?
Literally: "The children stood in a line," or "He stood up to greet her." Figuratively: "I can't stand waiting," "The record still stands," and "She is standing for the local council." Each example builds on the core sense of being upright or holding firm.