Phrase guide

stay back

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK, US: /steɪˈbæk/
  • Singapore: /ˈsteɪˈbek̚/

1

verb

Meaning 1

To remain (at work, school, organisation, country, etc.) after normal hours

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To keep one's distance from a place, often because of some danger.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Phrasal verb formed with English elements, stay (verb) and back (preposition).

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Russian: оставаться подольше (ostavatʹsja podolʹše) — to remain (at work, school, organisation, country, etc.) after normal hours
  • Latin: abhibeo — to keep one's distance from a place, often because of some danger
  • Russian: держаться подальше (deržatʹsja podalʹše) — to keep one's distance from a place, often because of some danger