26984 words

stays

13 definitions • 43 examples
1
to not move away from or leave a place or situation:

Examples:

stay for They need an assistant who is willing to stay for six months.
stay until Stay until the rain has stopped.
Can you stay after work to play tennis?
Because of the snow, children were told to stay at home.
2
to continue doing something, or to continue to be in a particular state:

Examples:

Stay away from the edge of the cliff.
stay in He decided not to stay in teaching/medicine/the army.
stay (out) It was so warm we stayed (out) in the garden until ten that night.
Put a lid on the pan so the food will stay hot.
The shops stay open until nine o' clock.
They stayed friends after their divorce.
To prevent anyone from being hurt, officials told people they had to stay away.
Those of a sensitive disposition are advised to stay well away.
3
to live or be in a place for a short time as a visitor:

Examples:

stay in I stayed in Montreal for two weeks then flew home.
stay at/in They said they'd stay at/in a hotel.
stay with My kids usually stay with their grandparents for a week in the summer.
4
to sleep somewhere for one night:

Examples:

We've arranged to stay overnight at my sister's house.
5

Examples:

I still stay with my parents.
6
a period of time that you spend in a place:

Examples:

stay at/in She planned a short stay at/in a hotel to celebrate their anniversary.
7
an order by a judge that stops a judgment being performed until new information can be considered:

Examples:

The governor refused to grant a stay of execution.
8
to not move away from or leave a place:

Examples:

I have a meeting at three so I can’t stay long.
They need an assistant who is willing to stay for six months.
Can you stay for dinner?
James had to stay after school to complete the assignment.
Because of the snow, he stayed home from school today.
She’s come back home to stay (= She will not move away again).
9
to continue to be in a particular state or position, or to continue doing something:

Examples:

[ I always + adv/prep ] Stay away from the edge of the cliff.
[ I always + adv/prep ] His boss asked him to stay on as manager for another year.
[ I always + adv/prep ] Mom told me not to stay out/up too late.
[ L ] I found it difficult to stay awake/calm/warm.
[ L ] The store stays open until 9 p.m.
[ L ] They stayed friends, even after they moved to different countries.
[ L ] For further news of the hurricane, stay tuned (= keep listening to this program).
10
to live in a place for a short time as a visitor, or just sleep there:

Examples:

We stayed in San Francisco for a few days before flying to Hawaii.
I’ll be staying overnight at my sister’s house.
11
a period of time that you spend in a place:

Examples:

They plan a short stay at a motel while the house is being painted.
12
to not move away or leave:

Examples:

stay for 2 days/2 weeks/2 years, etc. They need an assistant who is willing to stay for six months.
stay at work/home We stayed at work until 10 pm.
stay in/on sth She will stay on the board after she steps down as CEO.
stay here/there How long do you plan to stay here in Boston?
13
to continue doing something, or to continue to be in a particular state:

Examples:

stay open/closed The shops stay open until 9 o' clock.
stay in/on/at sth It is becoming too expensive for small dairy farms to stay in business.
stay within sth Most departments had stayed within budget.

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