English Meaning & Definitions
To refrain from approaching, visiting, or becoming involved with someone or something.
- “The doctor advised him to stay away from fatty foods to improve his health.”
- “Please stay away from the construction site as it is currently unsafe.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “stay away”.
The phrase is a compound of the Middle English 'stayen' (to stop, remain, or hold back), derived from the Old French 'estayer' (to support or prop up), and 'away' from the Old English 'onweg' (on one's way). Together, they evolved to denote the act of maintaining distance or refraining from approaching a specific person, place, or thing.
Imagine a 'stay' command given to a dog, combined with 'away'—you are telling someone to remain at a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions About “stay away”
1. What is the meaning of “stay away” in English?
In English, stay away (verb) is defined as: “To refrain from approaching, visiting, or becoming involved with someone or something.”.
2. How do you use “stay away” in a sentence?
“The doctor advised him to stay away from fatty foods to improve his health.”
3. What are English synonyms of “stay away”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “stay away”?
The phrase is a compound of the Middle English 'stayen' (to stop, remain, or hold back), derived from the Old French 'estayer' (to support or prop up), and 'away' from the Old English 'onweg' (on one's way). Together, they evolved to denote the act of maintaining distance or refraining from approaching a specific person, place, or thing.
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