sty
Sty (noun) means a pen where pigs are kept. Example: “The farmer cleaned out the sty every morning.”
How to use sty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pig pen, a filthy room, or a swollen bump on the eyelid — three unrelated meanings that share one spelling.
Don't confuse with "stye," an alternative spelling used for the eyelid infection specifically.
Word forms
stied past tense, stied past tense, sties plural, sties plural, sties plural, sties singular, sties singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farmer cleaned out the _____ every morning.
Etymology
From Old English stig, meaning an enclosure or pen (originally used for animals in general, later specifically pigs).
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sty” mean?
The word “sty” means a pen where pigs are kept. In plain terms, a pig pen, a filthy room, or a swollen bump on the eyelid — three unrelated meanings that share one spelling.
How do you pronounce “sty”?
“Sty” is pronounced steye (/staɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sty” in a sentence?
Here is “sty” used in a sentence: “The farmer cleaned out the sty every morning.”
What part of speech is “sty”?
“Sty” is a noun.
Where does the word “sty” come from?
The word “sty” comes from Old English. From Old English stig, meaning an enclosure or pen (originally used for animals in general, later specifically pigs).
How many meanings does “sty” have?
“Sty” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a pen where pigs are kept.