Phrase guide

stay on

verb · 3 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

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1

verb

Meaning 1

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see stay, on.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • How does your hat manage to stay on in such strong wind?
  • The light stays on even if there's a power outage.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

to continue in a place or situation, while others leave.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Some of her friends decided it was time to go home, but she wanted to stay on in there until sunrise.
  • After the trial period, she was asked to stay on and work full-time.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

continue in a place, position, or situation

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • After graduation, she stayed on in Cambridge as a student adviser
  • Stay with me, please
  • despite student protests, he remained Dean for another year
  • She continued as deputy mayor for another year

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stay, continue, remain

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: be

Narrower terms: bide, abide, stay, hold over

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.