noun
Common
stays
stayz
Stays (noun) means a stiff, boned undergarment worn to shape the torso, historically an early form of corset. Example: “The actress had trouble breathing in the tight stays of her costume.”
noun
1
A stiff, boned undergarment worn to shape the torso, historically an early form of corset.
"The actress had trouble breathing in the tight stays of her costume."
"Whalebone was often sewn into stays to keep the wearer upright."
"The Victorian dress required a tightly laced pair of stays underneath."
How to use stays
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word for a corset, or simply the plural/verb form of "stay."
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The actress had trouble breathing in the tight _____ of her costume.
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Rhymes for stays
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What does “stays” mean?
The word “stays” means a stiff, boned undergarment worn to shape the torso, historically an early form of corset. In plain terms, an old-fashioned word for a corset, or simply the plural/verb form of "stay.".
How do you pronounce “stays”?
“Stays” is pronounced stayz (/steɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “stays” in a sentence?
Here is “stays” used in a sentence: “The Victorian dress required a tightly laced pair of stays underneath.”
What part of speech is “stays”?
“Stays” is a noun.
Is “stays” a common word?
“Stays” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "stays" and a corset?
"Stays" is an older term for a stiffened, boned undergarment worn to shape the torso, and it is regarded as an early form of the corset. The words overlap, but "stays" usually refers to the earlier historical garment and "corset" to later versions.
Why is "stays" plural?
Like "trousers" or "scissors," "stays" is treated as a plural noun for a single garment, because it was historically made from paired, stiffened panels laced together. People often said "a pair of stays" rather than "a stay."
What is the difference between "stays" and a "bodice"?
"Stays" is a boned undergarment worn to shape and support the torso beneath clothing, while a "bodice" is the fitted upper part of a dress worn as an outer garment. Stays are structural underwear, whereas a bodice is visible.
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