noun A2 Elementary Uncommon

stair

steh-uh

Stair (noun) means a single step in a flight of steps. Example: “Mind the loose stair near the top.”

noun

A single step in a flight of steps.

"Mind the loose stair near the top."

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 notes

In 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.

stairs plural, Stairs plural

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Can you complete this real example?

Mind the loose _____ near the top.

From Old English stæger, ultimately from a very old root meaning "to climb or ascend."

Origin: Old English

apples and pears

air hair pair fair lair Nair chair flair Adair Clair affair repair

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.