stair
steh-uh
Stair (noun) means a single step in a flight of steps. Example: “Mind the loose stair near the top.”
noun
1
A single step in a flight of steps.
"Mind the loose stair near the top."
2
A flight of steps connecting two levels (usually used in the plural, "stairs").
"She ran up the stair two at a time."
How to use stair
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA step, or a flight of steps.
Common mistake
In everyday speech "stairs" (plural) is far more common than the singular "stair" for a whole flight.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- stairs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Mind the loose _____ near the top.
Etymology
From Old English stæger, ultimately from a very old root meaning "to climb or ascend."
Synonyms
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step
apples and pears
Related words
Rhymes for stair
See all rhymes for stair →Frequently asked questions
What does “stair” mean?
The word “stair” means a single step in a flight of steps. In plain terms, a step, or a flight of steps.
How do you pronounce “stair”?
“Stair” is pronounced steh-uh (/stɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “stair” in a sentence?
Here is “stair” used in a sentence: “Mind the loose stair near the top.”
What is another word for “stair”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stair” include apples and pears.
What part of speech is “stair”?
“Stair” is a noun.
Where does the word “stair” come from?
The word “stair” comes from Old English. From Old English stæger, ultimately from a very old root meaning "to climb or ascend.".
Is “stair” a common word?
“Stair” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “stair” have?
“Stair” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a single step in a flight of steps.
