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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Stay: Meaning, Examples, and Common Collocations (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：remain in place (stay)

stay 🔊

/steɪ/

v., n.

To not move from a place; to remain where you are.

Traveler standing still by roadside map looking at it curiously

remain in place 🔊

➕

/rɪˈmeɪn ɪn pleɪs/

v., n.

To not move from a location; to remain in the same spot.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'estai' and Latin 'stare' (to stand), meaning to remain in place.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine saying 'Stay!' to a dog. The dog freezes in place, not moving.

📖 Example

Let's stay by the lake for a while and enjoy the sunset. 🔊 Let's remain by the lake for a while and enjoy the sunset.

🔗 Collocations

stay put – remain where one is

stay behind – remain after others leave

stay in – not go out; remain indoors

🔄 Synonyms

remain (v.) – to continue to be in the same place or condition

wait (v.) – to stay in a place until something happens

linger (v.) – to stay in a place longer than necessary because of reluctance to leave

🚫 Antonyms

leave (v.) – to go away from a place

depart (v.) – to leave, especially to start a journey

move (v.) – to change position or go to a different place

🌱 Derivatives

staying (v.) – present participle of stay

stayer (n.) – a person or thing that stays

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin 'stare' (to stand). Originally referred to a ship's stay (a rope supporting the mast). By the 15th century, the verb 'stay' evolved to mean to remain or wait.

Meaning 2：continue in a state (stay)

stay 🔊

/steɪ/

v., n.

To continue in a particular state or condition without changing.

Person holding yoga pose calmly balanced in soft lighting

continue in a state 🔊

➕

/kənˈtɪnjuː ɪn ə steɪt/

v., n.

To persist in a particular condition or situation without changing.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

It's important to stay positive even when facing challenges at work. 🔊 It's important to continue being positive even when facing challenges at work.

🔗 Collocations

stay calm – remain composed and not become upset

stay focused – keep one's attention on a task

stay healthy – maintain good physical condition

🔄 Synonyms

remain (v.) – to continue to be in a specified state

continue (v.) – to keep happening or existing without stopping

persist (v.) – to continue firmly in an opinion or course of action despite difficulty

🚫 Antonyms

change (v.) – to become different

alter (v.) – to make or become different, typically in a small way

fluctuate (v.) – to rise and fall irregularly in number or amount

Meaning 3：lodge temporarily (stay)

stay 🔊

/steɪ/

v., n.

To live somewhere temporarily as a guest or visitor.

Cozy hotel room with bed suitcase and warm lamp light

lodge temporarily 🔊

➕

/lɒdʒ ˈtɛmpərərɪli/

v., n.

To live or reside in a place for a short period as a visitor or guest.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

We decided to stay at a small guesthouse in the mountains for a week. 🔊 We decided to lodge temporarily at a small guesthouse in the mountains for a week.

🔗 Collocations

stay overnight – remain at a place for one night

stay at a hotel – lodge in a hotel as a guest

stay with friends – live temporarily in a friend's home

🔄 Synonyms

lodge (v.) – to live in a place temporarily, often paying rent

sojourn (v.) – to stay in a place temporarily, especially on a journey

reside (v.) – to live in a particular place (often more permanent, but can be temporary)

🚫 Antonyms

leave (v.) – to go away from a place

depart (v.) – to start a journey; leave

vacate (v.) – to leave a place that one previously occupied

🌱 Derivatives

staying (v.) – present participle of stay (temporary residence)