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REFERENCE

stay

v. · n.
US //ˈsteɪ// UK //stˈeɪ// stay
  1. 1 to remain in a place (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to continue to be in a place and not leave.

    to remain in a specific location for a period of time rather than departing.

    Example

    We decided to stay at home because it was raining outside.

    Example

    The tourists chose to stay in a small boutique hotel near the city centre to experience the local culture more closely.
    Pitfall
    I will stay to my friend's house.
    I will stay at my friend's house.

    Use the preposition 'at' or 'with' to indicate the location or person you are staying with.

  2. 2 to continue a state (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to continue to be in a particular condition or mood.

    to continue to have a particular quality or to remain in a specified state; functions as a copular verb.

    Example

    Please try to stay calm during the emergency.

    Example

    Despite the market volatility, the investors managed to stay optimistic about the long-term prospects of the technology sector.
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  1. 3 to live or reside (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Dialect Informal

    to live in a place permanently or for a long time.

    to reside or dwell in a location; this usage is common in specific regional dialects but less common in standard British or American English.

    Example

    Where do you stay? I live in the apartment near the park.

    Example

    He stays in a small village in the south of the country where his family has farmed for generations.

    Usage

    Often used without a preposition followed by the location in some dialects.
  2. 4 to delay or stop (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

    to stop or delay something from happening for a while.

    to suspend, delay, or prevent the execution of an action or process.

    Example

    The judge decided to stay the execution of the order until next week.

    Example

    The court granted a motion to stay the proceedings pending the outcome of a related case in the supreme court.
  3. 5 a visit (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a period of time that you spend in a place.

    a period of temporary residence or a visit to a place.

    Example

    We enjoyed our stay at the beach resort very much.

    Example

    During her three-week stay in the capital, she visited every major museum and historical landmark on her list.
  4. 6 legal postponement (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

    a legal order that stops something from happening for a time.

    a suspension or postponement of a judicial proceeding or the execution of a judgement.

    Example

    The lawyer requested a stay of proceedings to gather more evidence.

    Example

    The governor issued a stay of execution just hours before the sentence was due to be carried out.
Etymology 1

From Middle English steyen, staien, from Old French estayer, estaier (“to fix, prop up, support, stay”), from estaye, estaie (“a prop, stay”), from Middle Dutch staeye (“a prop, stay”), a contracted form of staede, stade (“a prop, stay, help, aid”) (compare Middle Dutch staeyen, staeden (“to make firm, stay, support, hold still, stabilise”)), from Proto-West Germanic stadi (“a site, place, location, standing”), from Proto-Germanic stadiz (“a standing, place”), from Proto-Indo-European *stéh₂tis (“standing”). Influenced by Old English stæġ ("a stay, rope"; see below). Cognate with Old English stede (“a place, spot, locality, fixed position, station, site, standing, status, position of a moving body, stopping, standing still, stability, fixity, firmness, steadfastness”), Swedish stödja (“to prop, support, brace, hold up, bolster”), Icelandic stöðug (“continuous, stable”). More at stead, steady. Sense of "remain, continue" may be due to later influence from Old French ester, esteir (“to stand, be, continue, remain”), from Latin stāre (“stand”), from the same Proto-Indo-European root above; however, derivation from this root is untenable based on linguistic and historical grounds. An alternative etymology derives Old French estaye, estaie, from Frankish stakā, stakō (“stake, post”), from Proto-Germanic stakô (“stake, bar, stick, pole”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)teg- (“rod, pole, stick”), making it cognate with Old English staca (“pin, stake”), Old English stician (“to stick, be placed, lie, remain fixed”). Cognate with Albanian shtagë (“a long stick, a pole”). More at stake, stick.

Etymology 2

From Middle English stay, from Old French estaye, estaie (“a prop, a stay”), from Middle Dutch staeye (“a prop, stay”), a contracted form of staede, stade ("a prop, stay, help, aid"; compare Middle Dutch staeyen, staeden (“to make firm, stay, support, hold still, stabilise”)), from Old Dutch stad (“a site, place, location, standing”), from Proto-Germanic stadiz (“a standing, place”), from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand”). See above.

Etymology 3

From Middle English stay, from Old English stæġ (“stay, a rope supporting a mast”), from Proto-West Germanic stag, from Proto-Germanic stagą (“stay, rope”), from Proto-Indo-European stek-, stāk- (“stand, pole”), from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand”). Cognate with Dutch stag (“stay”), German Stag (“stay”), Swedish stag (“stay”), Icelandic stag (“stay”).

Etymology 4

From Middle English steȝe, from Old English stǣġe, an apocopated variant of stǣġel (“steep, abrupt”), from Proto-West Germanic *staigil (“steep”), see sty.

Idioms8 entries

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