stale
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1stale
adjective \ˈstāl\stal·erstal·est
Definition of STALE
1
: tasteless or unpalatable from age <stale bread>
2
: tedious from familiarity <a stale routine>
3
: impaired in legal force or effect by reason of being allowed to rest without timely use, action, or demand <a stale affidavit> <a stale debt>
4
: impaired in vigor or effectiveness
— stale·ly \ˈstāl-lē\ adverb
— stale·ness noun
See Examples of STALE
- a room filled with stale smoke
- <viewers were bored by the stale story lines of the new crop of sitcoms>
Origin of STALE
Middle English, settled, clear (of ale), not fresh, from Anglo-French estale, probably from Middle Dutch stel old (of beer)
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to STALE
- Synonyms
- banal, cliché (also cliche), clichéd, cobwebby, commonplace, hack, hackney, hackneyed, moth-eaten, musty, obligatory, shopworn, stereotyped, threadbare, timeworn, tired, trite, well-worn
Rhymes with STALE
2stale
verbstaledstal·ing
Definition of STALE
transitive verb
1
: to make stale
2
archaic : to make common : cheapen
intransitive verb
: to become stale
First Known Use of STALE
1599
3stale
intransitive verbstaledstal·ing
Definition of STALE
: urinate —used chiefly of camels and horses
Origin of STALE
Middle English; akin to Middle Low German stallen to urinate, stal urine of horses
First Known Use: 15th century
4stale
nounDefinition of STALE
: urine of a domestic animal (as a horse)
First Known Use of STALE
1548
Learn More About STALE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: stalemate (noun)
Previous Word in the Dictionary: stalagmometry
All Words Near: stale
Previous Word in the Dictionary: stalagmometry
All Words Near: stale
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up stale? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
