noun
Common
stairs
STEH-uhz
Stairs (noun) means a connected series of steps used to move between floors. Example: “The stairs creaked loudly as the children crept down at night.”
noun
1
A connected series of steps used to move between floors.
"The stairs creaked loudly as the children crept down at night."
"Our flat is on the third floor, and there are lots of stairs."
"She took the stairs instead of waiting for the lift."
How to use stairs
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe steps that connect one floor to another.
Common pairings
climb the stairs
flight of stairs
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Synonyms
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Rhymes for stairs
See all rhymes for stairs →Frequently asked questions
What does “stairs” mean?
The word “stairs” means a connected series of steps used to move between floors. In plain terms, the steps that connect one floor to another.
How do you pronounce “stairs”?
“Stairs” is pronounced STEH-uhz (/ˈstɛɹz/ in IPA).
How do you use “stairs” in a sentence?
Here is “stairs” used in a sentence: “She took the stairs instead of waiting for the lift.”
What part of speech is “stairs”?
“Stairs” is a noun.
Is “stairs” a common word?
“Stairs” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between stairs and a staircase?
"Stairs" refers to the steps themselves, the connected series you climb to move between floors. A "staircase" (or stairway) usually means the whole structure, including the steps together with the handrails, supports, and surrounding framework.
What is the difference between stairs and steps?
"Steps" can describe just a few individual treads, often outdoors, such as the steps up to a front door. "Stairs" specifically means a connected series of steps built to move between the floors of a building.
Is 'stairs' singular or plural?
"Stairs" is a plural noun and takes a plural verb, as in "the stairs are steep." To refer to one continuous set as a unit, people say "a flight of stairs."
What prepositions are used with stairs?
The most common pairings are "up the stairs" and "down the stairs" for movement, and "on the stairs" for position. You also often hear "at the top of the stairs" and "at the bottom of the stairs."
