# stash

/ˈstæʃ/ (US) · /stˈæʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stash
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to hide or store away

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to put something in a safe or secret place so you can use it later.

For teachers: to store or hide something away for future use, often in a secret or secure location.

- He stashed his extra cash in a hollow book on the shelf.
- The hikers stashed their heavy climbing gear in a cave near the base of the mountain, planning to retrieve it on their descent.

Usage: This is a transitive verb that requires a direct object.

### 2. a hidden collection

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a collection of things that you have hidden or kept for yourself.

For teachers: a collection of items, often of a similar type, that has been hidden or stored for future use.

- She has a secret stash of chocolate in her desk drawer.
- The police discovered a significant stash of stolen electronics in the back of the abandoned warehouse.

Usage: Commonly used with the preposition 'of' to describe the contents.

### 3. university branded gear

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Slang

clothing or items with the logo of a university club or team.

For teachers: clothing or equipment branded with the insignia of a specific university, college, or student society.

- The rugby team all wore their new stash to the pub after the match.
- The university boat club ordered a fresh batch of stash, including embroidered fleeces and waterproof jackets for the winter season.

Teaching tip: This sense is very specific to UK student culture and might not be understood by English speakers elsewhere.

### 4. a mustache

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a short way of saying mustache.

For teachers: a colloquial abbreviation for a mustache.

- He decided to grow a stash for a charity event in November.
- The actor's thick stash became his most recognisable feature during the filming of the period drama.

Usage: Usually spelled 'stache' in American English, though 'stash' is a common variant.

## Examples

- He keeps a secret stash of chocolate in his desk.
- The police discovered a large stash of stolen electronics hidden in the back of the warehouse.
- While cleaning the attic, she stumbled upon her grandfather's stash of vintage postcards, which documented his travels across Europe during the 1950s.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.