What is stay? Pronunciation and usage in English

stay means . Learn how to pronounce and use stay through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of stay

stayverb

/steɪ/
Definition & pronunciation of stay

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "stay" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations, and they're fairly distinct!

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (Rhymes with “play”):

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /steɪ/
  • How to say it: Think of the word "play." The "stay" sound is very similar. It's a short, open "a" sound, like in "apple."
  • Break it down:
    • “st”: Pronounced like a “st” as in “stop.”
    • “ay”: This is the key! It's a very quick, light “a” sound, like the “a” in “play,” “day,” or “say.” It’s not like the long “a” sound in “say.”

2. The Less Common Pronunciation (Rhymes with "hay"):

  • IPA: /steɪ/ (This is the same IPA as the first pronunciation!)
  • How to say it: This pronunciation is more common in some parts of the UK. It's a longer, more drawn-out “a” sound, like the “a” in “hay.”
  • To help you differentiate: When you say it this way, it feels like you're holding the "a" sound a bit longer.

Here's a quick comparison:

Pronunciation Sound like Example Word
/steɪ/ (Play) Short "a" like "play" Play, day, say
/steɪ/ (Hay) Long "a" like "hay" Hay, way, may

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more targeted guidance, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia) – Regional accents can influence pronunciation.

Usage and examples with the word stay in English

Let's break down how to use the word "stay" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings and uses! Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. As a Verb - Remaining in a Place (Most Common Meaning)

  • Definition: To remain in a place; to not leave.
  • Examples:
    • “I'm going to stay at home tonight.” (I’ll remain at home.)
    • “Please stay until the end of the meeting.” (Don't leave.)
    • “The tourists stayed in the hotel for a week.” (They remained in the hotel.)
    • "He decided to stay in his hometown." (He chose to remain there.)

2. As a Verb - Remaining in a State (Emotional or Mental)

  • Definition: To remain in a particular feeling, condition, or state.
  • Examples:
    • “She stayed calm despite the situation.” (She remained calm.)
    • “He stayed positive even when things were tough.” (He remained positive.)
    • “I’m trying to stay focused on my work.” (I’m trying to remain focused.)
    • "He stayed up all night reading." (He remained awake.)

3. As a Verb - To Remain (Formal/Literary)

  • Definition: Used in more formal or literary contexts to mean "remain" or "continue." It’s not as common in everyday speech as the first definition.
  • Examples:
    • “The ship stayed anchored in the harbor.” (The ship remained anchored.)
    • "The treaty stayed in effect for several years." (The treaty continued to be in effect.)

4. As an Interjection - Expressing a Request or Command

  • Definition: A short word used to urge someone to remain.
  • Examples:
    • "Stay here!” (Don’t leave!)
    • "Stay close!” (Don't go far!)
    • "Stay quiet!” (Don't make noise!)

5. "Stay" as a Verb – To Remain Alive (Less Common)

  • Definition: To avoid death.
  • Examples:
    • "The injured man stayed alive thanks to the first aid."
    • “The plant stayed green despite the drought." (It avoided dying.)

6. "Stay" as a Phrasal Verb (Very Common)

"Stay" frequently appears in phrasal verbs, where its meaning changes dramatically based on the other word it’s paired with. Here are some key examples:

  • Stay up: To remain awake. ("I had to stay up late to finish the project.")
  • Stay in: To remain at home. ("We decided to stay in tonight.")
  • Stay out: To remain away from home. ("He stayed out too late.")
  • Stay away: To avoid someone or something. (“Stay away from dangerous situations.”)
  • Stay with: To remain with someone or something. ("I'll stay with you until you feel better.")
  • Stay on: To continue in a position or role. (“She was asked to stay on at the company.”)

7. Other Forms of “Stay”

  • Staying: Present participle (used with verbs like “is,” “are,” “was,” “were”) – “He is staying at a hotel.”
  • Stayed: Past tense – “I stayed at home yesterday.”
  • Stays: Present simple tense (third-person singular) – “He stays at home a lot.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What specifically were you wondering about when it comes to using the word "stay"?
  • Could you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word stay

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