What does stash mean?
A stash is a collection of money, goods, or other items that has been put away for safekeeping or later use. The word often suggests secrecy, privacy, or temporary storage: someone might keep a stash of cash, conceal a stash of valuables, or stash belongings in a hidden place. As a verb, ‘stash’ means to hide or reserve something, usually without announcing its location or intended use. It is especially common in informal speech, though it is also widely understood in neutral contexts such as travel, finance, and storage. The word can imply that the items are being kept apart from ordinary possessions, available when needed, and possibly protected from loss or discovery. Because it conveys both concealment and preservation, ‘stash’ is useful for describing anything deliberately set aside, whether material, financial, or occasionally metaphorical.
A collection of money, goods, or other items kept hidden or reserved for later use.
"He had a stash of emergency money in the back of a drawer."
Common in informal and semi-formal English; the word can also refer to a concealed supply of drugs or other illicit goods.
To hide or store something away, usually for safekeeping or later use.
"They stashed the spare keys under the mat."
Often used with ‘away,’ as in ‘stash it away,’ to emphasize concealment or removal from ordinary use.
Used when referring to multiple concealed collections or supplies of money, goods, or other items.
"The police found several stashes of weapons in the warehouse."
From hiding valuables to keeping a secret emergency fund, a stash is what you put somewhere safe until the right moment arrives.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stash come from?
The word is first attested in the late Middle English period, initially in the sense of a place of safety. Its precise origin is uncertain, although it may be related to ‘stow’, meaning to place or store something securely. The modern senses of hiding or reserving goods developed from the earlier idea of keeping something safely put away.
Related word forms
How stash is actually used
The noun and verb are common in informal and semi-formal English. In some contexts, especially when referring to drugs or illicit goods, ‘stash’ may carry an informal or potentially legal connotation. The verb is often used with ‘away’.
Easily confused with stash
A stash is something kept hidden or reserved, whereas a stack is an arranged pile of objects.
A stash is a private collection kept out of general use, while stock refers to supplies available for sale or use.