Remain vs. Stay: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Remain" means to continue to exist, while "stay" suggests persisting in a place or condition without moving.
Key Differences
"Remain" often implies a state of continuation or being left behind, whereas "stay" suggests a conscious choice to not leave a place or position. To remain somewhere can denote a condition or situation that persists over time, but to stay can also imply temporary halting or pausing in a location or state.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
"Remain" is used to express the idea of parts or aspects being left after others have gone or changed; "stay" focuses on the act of continuing in a place. For instance, after a party, the decorations remain, but guests may choose to stay longer.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
While "remain" carries a sense of what's left after a process, "stay" can indicate duration or resistance to change. You might remain calm in a crisis, but you choose to stay calm despite the noise.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
"Remain" fits well in contexts involving residues or remnants, as it conveys what continues to exist. "Stay," however, is more about the continuation of an action or maintaining a position. Instructions often use "stay" to command someone to continue in their current state or location.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
In formal contexts, "remain" is preferred for a state that is expected to continue, while "stay" is often used in more casual or immediate contexts. A company might remain in business for years, but an individual might stay at a job for only a few months.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To continue to exist or be left after others have gone or ended.
To continue in a place or condition, or to delay leaving.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Connotation
Suggests something is left over or continuing by default.
Implies a decision or intent to not move or change.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Usage in Time
Often refers to an indefinite period or after an event.
Usually denotes a temporary or defined duration.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Formality
Generally more formal.
Generally less formal, often used in everyday speech.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Variants
Less commonly varied.
Can be used in different variants like "stay put" or "stay away."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
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Remain and Stay Definitions
Remain
To continue in place without moving or being moved.
The ruins remain as a testament to the past.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Stay
To remain in a place rather than leave.
Please stay with me during the concert.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Remain
To be left after others have gone.
She remained in the office after everyone else left.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
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Remain
To continue in the same state or condition
These matters remain in doubt.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Remain
To continue to be in the same place; stay or stay behind
We are remaining at home.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Remain
To be left after the removal, loss, passage, or destruction of others
Only a few trees remained after the storm. ].
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
Remain
(in the plural) That which is left of a human being after the life is gone; relics; a dead body.
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
Remain
To stay after others or other parts have been removed or otherwise disappeared.
After three rounds of interviews, only 5 candidates remained.
I like to make more than enough food if I have people round for dinner, so I can eat my way through what remains in the following days.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Remain
(mathematics) To be left after a number or quantity has been subtracted or cut off; to be left as not included or comprised.
If you divide 20 apples between three people, each gets six and two remain.
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
Remain
To continue unchanged in place, form, or condition, or undiminished in quantity; to abide; to stay; to endure; to last.
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
Remain
(copulative) To continue in a state of being.
There was no food in the house, so I had to remain hungry.
The light remained red for two full minutes.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Remain
To stay behind while others withdraw; to be left after others have been removed or destroyed; to be left after a number or quantity has been subtracted or cut off; to be left as not included or comprised.
Gather up the fragments that remain.
Of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
That . . . remains to be proved.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Remain
To continue unchanged in place, form, or condition, or undiminished in quantity; to abide; to stay; to endure; to last.
Remain a widow at thy father's house.
Childless thou art; childless remain.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Remain
State of remaining; stay.
Which often, since my here remain in England,I 've seen him do.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Remain
That which is left; relic; remainder; - chiefly in the plural.
When this remain of horror has entirely subsided.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Remain
That which is left of a human being after the life is gone; relics; a dead body.
Old warriors whose adored remainsIn weeping vaults her hallowed earth contains!
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Remain
The posthumous works or productions, esp. literary works, of one who is dead; as, Cecil's
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Remain
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
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
Remain
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
Remain
Be left; of persons, questions, problems, results, evidence, etc.;
There remains the question of who pulled the trigger
Carter remains the only President in recent history under whose Presidency the U.S. did not fight a war
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
Remain
Stay behind;
The smell stayed in the room
The hostility remained long after they made up
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Remain
To persist in a state or condition.
He remained silent during the interrogation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Remain
To be left as a residue or remainder.
Stains remain on the carpet despite cleaning.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 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
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
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
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
Stay
To continue to have a particular quality.
Wear gloves so your hands stay warm.
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
Stay
(archaic) A stop; a halt; a break or cessation of action, motion, or progress.
Stand at a stay
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
Restraint of passion; prudence; moderation; caution; steadiness; sobriety.
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
Stay
(archaic) A fastening for a garment; a hook; a clasp; anything to hang another thing on.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Stay
Strictly, a part in tension to hold the parts together, or stiffen them.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Stay
To continue in a state.
The flames augment, and stayAt their full height, then languish to decay.
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
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
Stay
To come to an end; to cease; as, that day the storm stayed.
Here my commission stays.
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
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
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
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
Stay
A thin strip of metal or bone that is used to stiffen a garment (e.g. a corset)
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
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
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
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
Stay
Stay behind;
The smell stayed in the room
The hostility remained long after they made up
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Stay
To continue in a specified state or condition.
He decided to stay awake until dawn.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do "remain" and "stay" have the same level of formality?
"Remain" is generally more formal, while "stay" is more colloquial.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Can "remain" indicate a physical location?
"Remain" can refer to a physical location but often focuses on the aspect of something that persists.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
What does "remain" imply in usage?
"Remain" often implies continuation or persistence of something's presence.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
What does "stay" suggest?
"Stay" usually suggests a voluntary act of not leaving a place or state.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
What kind of action does "stay" imply?
"Stay" implies an action that is usually conscious and deliberate.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Can "remain" be used in commands?
"Remain" can be used in commands, often in a formal or authoritative context.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Is "stay" used to express a temporary situation?
"Stay" often indicates a temporary situation or condition.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Can "stay" be used in a formal report?
"Stay" can be used in formal reports but is less common than "remain."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
How are "remain" and "stay" different in context?
"Remain" fits contexts of leftovers or continuation by default; "stay" implies deliberate action.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
What does it mean to "stay put"?
"Stay put" means to remain in a specific location without moving.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Does "remain" have synonyms?
Yes, synonyms for "remain" include persist, continue, and endure.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
How do "remain" and "stay" differ in their emotional connotations?
"Remain" is neutral, whereas "stay" can have emotional implications, such as in "stay with me."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Can "remain" suggest a lack of change?
Yes, "remain" can suggest that something is unchanged.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
How is "stay" used in hospitality?
"Stay" is commonly used in hospitality to refer to temporary accommodation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
How does "remain" relate to time?
"Remain" often relates to an indefinite time period, especially after certain events.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Are there synonyms for "stay"?
Yes, synonyms for "stay" include linger, remain, and reside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Which word is used in legal contexts?
"Remain" is commonly used in legal contexts for its formal tone.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Can "remain" imply a passive situation?
Yes, "remain" can imply a situation that exists without active maintenance.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Is "stay" active or passive?
"Stay" is usually active, involving a decision or choice.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Are "remain" and "stay" interchangeable?
They can be in some contexts, but they may convey different nuances.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 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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