What does stay mean?
“Stay” is a common English word with several related meanings. As a verb, it usually means to remain in the same place, as in “Please stay here,” or to continue in a particular condition, as in “The weather stayed cold.” It can also mean to delay an activity, as in “Stay the announcement until further notice,” or to prevent a process from continuing. As a noun, a stay may refer to a period of remaining somewhere, a temporary visit or accommodation, or, in legal language, an order suspending a court proceeding. The word is used across formal and informal English, with especially familiar expressions such as “stay put” and “stay in touch.” Its flexibility makes it useful for describing both physical presence and the continuation or suspension of a state, action, or process.
To remain in the same place or continue in a particular state; to delay or postpone an action.
"They stayed indoors because of the heavy snow."
The sense of postponing or delaying is common in formal and informal registers, as in “stay a decision” or “stay proceedings.”
A period of remaining somewhere; temporary accommodation or residence; or a legal order suspending a proceeding.
"Her stay at the coastal hotel was unexpectedly extended."
The legal sense is more specialized and usually appears in formal contexts involving court proceedings, judgments, or enforcement.
The plural is common for periods of remaining, visits, or temporary accommodations; it can also refer to multiple separate periods spent somewhere.
"Her stays with friends became a regular part of the summer."
A stay can mean a quiet period of remaining, a temporary place to live, or a legal pause in proceedings: one word, several ways to suspend a journey or an action.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of stay
The modern verb developed through Middle English forms influenced by Old English stægan, meaning to remain or stay, and by Anglo-French usage. Older Germanic languages had related words associated with standing or remaining in place, helping explain the connection between “stay” and the wider family of words meaning steadiness or constancy. The noun developed from the same general idea of remaining, with later specialized legal senses concerning a temporary halt or suspension.
Related word forms
How stay is actually used
In ordinary use, the word is neutral and common in formal and informal contexts. Phrases such as 'stay put' and 'stay in touch' are idiomatic; legal senses of the noun are more specialized.
Easily confused with stay
A stay means to remain or continue, whereas a stain is a mark left by a substance or an act that discolors something.