stay
23 synonyms and 0 antonyms for stay, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To remain in a place rather than leaving.
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 stay
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French estayer, "to prop up or support," influenced by the unrelated Old English word for "rope" (stæg) and by Old French ester, "to stand," from Latin stare.
Full origin of stay →Frequently asked questions
What does “stay” mean?
The word “stay” means to remain in a place rather than leaving. In plain terms, to remain somewhere or in some state, to delay something officially, or (as a noun) a visit or a supporting rope.
How do you pronounce “stay”?
“Stay” is pronounced stay (/steɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “stay” in a sentence?
Here is “stay” used in a sentence: “We decided to stay at the hotel for an extra night.”
What is another word for “stay”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stay” include repress, stifle, cease, discontinue, halt and stop.
What part of speech is “stay”?
Depending on how it is used, “stay” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “stay” come from?
The word “stay” comes from Latin. From Old French estayer, "to prop up or support," influenced by the unrelated Old English word for "rope" (stæg) and by Old French ester, "to stand," from Latin stare.
Is “stay” a common word?
“Stay” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “stay” have?
“Stay” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to remain in a place rather than leaving.
What is the difference between stay and remain?
Both mean to keep in place rather than leave, and they often overlap. Stay is the everyday, more personal choice — stay home, stay a while — and suggests a person choosing not to move. Remain is slightly more formal and works for people, states or things: doubts remain, the house remains empty.
What is the difference between stay and live?
To stay somewhere is usually temporary — you stay at a hotel or stay with friends for a few nights. To live somewhere is permanent, your actual home. In some regions people use 'stay' to mean 'live', but in standard English staying implies a short visit rather than a settled residence.
What is the opposite of stay?
The main opposites of stay are leave, go and depart — all meaning to move away from a place rather than remaining in it. Related antonyms include exit and set off. Which one fits best depends on the sentence, but each captures the idea of not staying put.
Can 'stay' mean to continue in a condition?
Yes. Beyond remaining in a place, stay can mean keeping in a particular state: stay calm, stay awake, stay healthy. Used this way it means to go on being something rather than to change. The core idea is the same — not moving away from where, or how, you already are.