noun
sty
steye
Sty (noun) means a pen where pigs are kept. Example: “The farmer cleaned out the sty every morning.”
noun
1
A pen where pigs are kept.
"The farmer cleaned out the sty every morning."
2
A very messy or filthy place.
"Clean your room — it looks like a sty in here."
3
A painful red swelling on the eyelid caused by an infected gland.
"A sty had formed on her lower eyelid overnight."
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.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "stye," an alternative spelling used for the eyelid infection specifically.
Common pairings
pig sty
eye sty
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like sty.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- sties
- Third person singular
- sties
- Past tense
- stied
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.
