Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

stay away

phrasal verb

Definition of stay away

: to not go near someone or something : avoid
  • I know I shouldn't go there, but it's hard to stay away.
—usually + from
  • Stay away from my girlfriend!
  • He usually stays away from large crowds.
  • I try to stay away from caffeine.

Word by Word Definitions

stay play

  1. : a large strong rope usually of wire used to support a mast

  2. : guy:2

  1. : to secure upright with or as if with stays

  2. : to incline (a mast) forward, aft, or to one side by the stays

  3. : to go about : tack

  1. : to stop going forward : pause

  2. : to stop doing something : cease

  3. : to continue in a place or condition : remain

  1. : the action of halting : the state of being stopped

  2. : a stopping or suspension of procedure or execution by judicial or executive order

  3. : self-control, moderation

  1. : one that serves as a prop : support

  2. : a thin firm strip (as of plastic) used for stiffening a garment or part (such as a shirt collar)

  3. : a corset stiffened with bones

  1. : to provide physical or moral support for : sustain

  2. : to fix on something as a foundation

See the full definition of stay
away play

  1. : on the way : along

  2. : from this or that place

  3. : in a secure place or manner

  1. : absent from a place : gone

  2. : distant in space or time

  3. : played on an opponent's grounds

See the full definition of away

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up stay away? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games