Keep vs. Stay: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Keep" generally refers to maintaining a condition or possession, while "Stay" means to remain in a place or position.
Key Differences
"Keep" implies holding onto, maintaining, or preserving something, be it a physical object, a condition, or a promise. "Stay", however, is more about remaining in a particular location or state without moving or changing.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
When using "keep", there's often an active effort involved, like keeping a room clean. In contrast, "stay" suggests a passive state, such as staying at home.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
"Keep" can also mean to continue doing something, as in keeping writing. "Stay", on the other hand, implies halting progress or movement, as in staying still.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
In emotional contexts, "keep" might refer to holding onto a feeling, like keeping happy. Whereas "stay" could mean to remain emotionally stable, like staying calm.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Lastly, "keep" has a sense of ongoing action or responsibility, like keeping a secret, while "stay" implies a temporary state, like staying silent during a meeting.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Contexts of Use
Physical objects, conditions, actions
Locations, positions, states
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Emotional Connotation
Holding onto feelings or commitments
Remaining emotionally or physically stable
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
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Keep and Stay Definitions
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Stay
To linger or wait in order to do or experience something
We stayed to watch the final minutes of the game.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To continue or persist in an action or activity
Stayed with the original plan.
Stayed in college.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To remain during
Stayed the week with my parents.
Stayed the duration of the game.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To suspend by legal order the implementation of (a planned action), especially pending further proceedings
Stay a prisoner's execution.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
Tried to keep the patient calm.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
(Archaic) To wait for; await
"I will not stay thy questions. Let me go.
/ Or if thou follow me, do not believe / But I shall do thee mischief in the wood" (Shakespeare).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To restrain
Kept the child away from the stove.
Kept the crowd back with barriers.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
A strip of bone, plastic, or metal, used to stiffen a garment or part, such as a corset or shirt collar.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To remain in a state or condition; stay
Keep in line.
Keep quiet.
Kept well.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
(Nautical) A heavy rope or cable, usually of wire, used as a brace or support for a mast or spar.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
(transitive) To support from sinking; to sustain with strength; to satisfy in part or for the time.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To put off; defer; postpone; delay; keep back.
The governor stayed the execution until the appeal could be heard.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To continue in (a course or mode of action); to not intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.
To keep silence;
To keep possession
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
To keep one's word;
To keep one's promise
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To remain for the purpose of; to stay to take part in or be present at (a meal, ceremony etc.).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To maintain the condition of; to preserve in a certain state.
I keep my specimens under glass to protect them.
The abundance of squirrels kept the dogs running for hours.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To restrain.
I keep my pet gerbil away from my brother.
Don't let me keep you; I know you have things to be doing.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
(intransitive) To hold out, as in a race or contest; last or persevere to the end; to show staying power.
That horse stays well.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To supply with necessities and financially support (a person).
He kept a mistress for over ten years.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
(intransitive) To remain in a particular place, especially for a definite or short period of time; sojourn; abide.
We stayed in Hawaii for a week.
I can only stay for an hour.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To continue to have a particular quality.
Wear gloves so your hands stay warm.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.
Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.
Keep calm! There's no need to panic.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Continuance or a period of time spent in a place; abode for an indefinite time.
I hope you enjoyed your stay in Hawaii.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
(legal) A postponement, especially of an execution or other punishment.
The governor granted a stay of execution.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
(archaic) A stop; a halt; a break or cessation of action, motion, or progress.
Stand at a stay
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; to not swerve from or violate.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Restraint of passion; prudence; moderation; caution; steadiness; sobriety.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To observe or celebrate (a holiday).
The feast of St. Stephen is kept on December 26.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
A piece of stiff material, such as plastic or whalebone, used to stiffen a piece of clothing.
Where are the stays for my collar?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
The food or money required to keep someone alive and healthy; one's support, maintenance.
He works as a cobbler's apprentice for his keep.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
(archaic) A fastening for a garment; a hook; a clasp; anything to hang another thing on.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
To be in good keep
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
(nautical) A strong rope or wire supporting a mast, and leading from one masthead down to some other, or other part of the vessel.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
A guy, rope, or wire supporting or stabilizing a platform, such as a bridge, a pole, such as a tentpole, the mast of a derrick, or other structural element.
The engineer insisted on using stays for the scaffolding.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To hold; to restrain from departure or removal; not to let go of; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose; to retain; to detain.
If we lose the field,We can not keep the town.
That I may know what keeps me here with you.
If we would weigh and keep in our minds what we are considering, that would instruct us.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To cause to remain in a given situation or condition; to maintain unchanged; to hold or preserve in any state or tenor.
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal.
Keep a stiff rein, and move but gently on.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To have in custody; to have in some place for preservation; to take charge of.
The crown of Stephanus, first king of Hungary, was always kept in the castle of Vicegrade.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To preserve from danger, harm, or loss; to guard.
Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To preserve from discovery or publicity; not to communicate, reveal, or betray, as a secret.
Great are thy virtues . . . though kept from man.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
A large, strong rope, employed to support a mast, by being extended from the head of one mast down to some other, or to some part of the vessel. Those which lead forward are called fore-and-aft stays; those which lead to the vessel's side are called backstays. See Illust. of Ship.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To attend upon; to have the care of; to tend.
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it.
In her girlish age, she kept sheep on the moor.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
That which serves as a prop; a support.
Trees serve as so many stays for their vines.
Lord Liverpool is the single stay of this ministry.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To record transactions, accounts, or events in; as, to keep books, a journal, etc.; also, to enter (as accounts, records, etc. ) in a book.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
A corset stiffened with whalebone or other material, worn by women, and rarely by men.
How the strait stays the slender waist constrain.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To maintain, as an establishment, institution, or the like; to conduct; to manage; as, to keep store.
Like a pedant that keeps a school.
Every one of them kept house by himself.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Continuance in a place; abode for a space of time; sojourn; as, you make a short stay in this city.
Make haste, and leave thy business and thy care;No mortal interest can be worth thy stay.
Embrace the hero and his stay implore.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To supply with necessaries of life; to entertain; as, to keep boarders.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Cessation of motion or progression; stand; stop.
Made of sphere metal, never to decayUntil his revolution was at stay.
Affairs of state seemed rather to stand at a stay.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To have in one's service; to have and maintain, as an assistant, a servant, a mistress, a horse, etc.
I keep but three men and a boy.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Hindrance; let; check.
They were able to read good authors without any stay, if the book were not false.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Restraint of passion; moderation; caution; steadiness; sobriety.
The wisdom, stay, and moderation of the king.
With prudent stay he long deferredThe rough contention.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To continue in, as a course or mode of action; not to intermit or fall from; to hold to; to maintain; as, to keep silence; to keep one's word; to keep possession.
Both day and night did we keep company.
Within this portal as I kept my watch.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Strictly, a part in tension to hold the parts together, or stiffen them.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate; to practice or perform, as duty; not to neglect; to be faithful to.
I have kept the faith.
Him whom to love is to obey, and keepHis great command.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To stop from motion or falling; to prop; to fix firmly; to hold up; to support.
Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side.
Sallows and reeds . . . for vineyards useful foundTo stay thy vines.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To confine one's self to; not to quit; to remain in; as, to keep one's house, room, bed, etc.; hence, to haunt; to frequent.
'Tis hallowed ground;Fairies, and fawns, and satyrs do it keep.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To support from sinking; to sustain with strength; to satisfy in part or for the time.
He has devoured a whole loaf of bread and butter, and it has not staid his stomach for a minute.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To observe duly, as a festival, etc.; to celebrate; to solemnize; as, to keep a feast.
I went with them to the house of God . . . with a multitude that kept holyday.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To bear up under; to endure; to support; to resist successfully.
She will not stay the siege of loving terms,Nor bide the encounter of assailing eyes.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To remain in any position or state; to continue; to abide; to stay; as, to keep at a distance; to keep aloft; to keep near; to keep in the house; to keep before or behind; to keep in favor; to keep out of company, or out reach.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To hold from proceeding; to withhold; to restrain; to stop; to hold.
Him backward overthrew and down him stayedWith their rude hands and grisly grapplement.
All that may stay their minds from thinking that true which they heartily wish were false.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To last; to endure; to remain unimpaired.
If the malt be not thoroughly dried, the ale it makes will not keep.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To hinder; to delay; to detain; to keep back.
Your ships are stayed at Venice.
This business staid me in London almost a week.
I was willing to stay my reader on an argument that appeared to me new.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
Knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Keep that the lusts choke not the word of God that is in us.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To cause to cease; to put an end to.
Stay your strife.
For flattering planets seemed to sayThis child should ills of ages stay.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To fasten or secure with stays; as, to stay a flat sheet in a steam boiler.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge.
Pan, thou god of shepherds all,Which of our tender lambkins takest keep.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To tack, as a vessel, so that the other side of the vessel shall be presented to the wind.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case; as, to be in good keep.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To remain; to continue in a place; to abide fixed for a space of time; to stop; to stand still.
She would command the hasty sun to stay.
Stay, I command you; stay and hear me first.
I stay a little longer, as one staysTo cover up the embers that still burn.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
The means or provisions by which one is kept; maintenance; support; as, the keep of a horse.
Grass equal to the keep of seven cows.
I performed some services to the college in return for my keep.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To continue in a state.
The flames augment, and stayAt their full height, then languish to decay.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
That which keeps or protects; a stronghold; a fortress; a castle; specifically, the strongest and securest part of a castle, often used as a place of residence by the lord of the castle, especially during a siege; the dungeon. See Illust. of Castle.
The prison strong,Within whose keep the captive knights were laid.
The lower chambers of those gloomy keeps.
I think . . . the keep, or principal part of a castle, was so called because the lord and his domestic circle kept, abode, or lived there.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To wait; to attend; to forbear to act.
I 'll tell thee all my whole deviceWhen I am in my coach, which stays for us.
The father can not stay any longer for the fortune.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Often he used of his keepA sacrifice to bring.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To rest; to depend; to rely; to stand; to insist.
I stay here on my bond.
Ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
The financial means whereby one lives;
Each child was expected to pay for their keep
He applied to the state for support
He could no longer earn his own livelihood
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To come to an end; to cease; as, that day the storm stayed.
Here my commission stays.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
Keep clean
Hold in place
She always held herself as a lady
The students keep me on my toes
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Continuing or remaining in a place or state;
They had a nice stay in Paris
A lengthy hospital stay
A four-month stay in bankruptcy court
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
Keep on working!
We continued to work into the night
Keep smiling
We went on working until well past midnight
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
A judicial order forbidding some action until an event occurs or the order is lifted;
The Supreme Court has the power to stay an injunction pending an appeal to the whole Court
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?
She kept her maiden name after she married
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
The state of inactivity following an interruption;
The negotiations were in arrest
Held them in check
During the halt he got some lunch
The momentary stay enabled him to escape the blow
He spent the entire stop in his seat
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Prevent from doing something or being in a certain state;
We must prevent the cancer from spreading
His snoring kept me from falling asleep
Keep the child from eating the marbles
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
(nautical) brace consisting of a heavy rope or wire cable used as a support for a mast or spar
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Conform one's action or practice to;
Keep appointments
She never keeps her promises
We kept to the original conditions of the contract
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
A thin strip of metal or bone that is used to stiffen a garment (e.g. a corset)
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
Keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Stay the same; remain in a certain state;
The dress remained wet after repeated attempts to dry it
Rest assured
Stay alone
He remained unmoved by her tears
The bad weather continued for another week
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am gone
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Stay put (in a certain place);
We are staying in Detroit; we are not moving to Cincinnati
Stay put in the corner here!
Stick around and you will learn something!
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Maintain by writing regular records;
Keep a diary
Maintain a record
Keep notes
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Dwell;
You can stay with me while you are in town
Stay a bit longer--the day is still young
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottage
Keep boarders
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Continue in a place, position, or situation;
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Allow to remain in a place or position;
We cannot continue several servants any longer
She retains a lawyer
The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
We kept the work going as long as we could
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Supply with necessities and support;
She alone sustained her family
The money will sustain our good cause
There's little to earn and many to keep
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Stay behind;
The smell stayed in the room
The hostility remained long after they made up
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandments
Celebrate Christmas
Observe Yom Kippur
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Retain rights to;
Keep my job for me while I give birth
Keep my seat, please
Keep open the possibility of a merger
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Have as a supply;
I always keep batteries in the freezer
Keep food for a week in the pantry
She keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Does "stay" only refer to physical locations?
Primarily, but it can also mean remaining in a state or condition.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
How is "keep" used in emotional contexts?
It can refer to maintaining emotions, like keeping calm.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
What does "keep" imply in general?
It implies maintaining, holding, or continuing something.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Is "stay" used in temporal contexts?
Yes, especially to imply a temporary situation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Is "keep" versatile in meaning?
Yes, it has several related but distinct meanings.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Is "keep" often used in idiomatic expressions?
Yes, it's common in phrases like "keep up."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Is "stay" used in formal writing?
Yes, it's appropriate in both formal and informal settings.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
What's a common use of "keep" in daily conversation?
Referring to retaining or continuing something, like a habit.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Can "stay" imply emotional stability?
Yes, like staying calm under pressure.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
How is "stay" used to describe relationships?
It can mean to remain in a relationship, like staying friends.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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