Confused between Staid and Stayed? Let’s Resolve it now!

Homophone words usually are very difficult to differentiate. The fact that they have the same sound, becomes the reason for using the wrong word from the pair. This makes the sentence incorrect, and also less comprehensible.

One such homophone pair that causes a common mix-up is Staid and Stayed. They sound so similar, that many of us use ‘stayed’ in place of ‘staid’.

Are you also amongst those who are confused between Staid and Stayed? Let’s Resolve that now!

Stayed

Stayed, as we all know, is the simple past tense, and past participle of the word ‘stay’. This homophone word is a verb, which means, it denotes a particular action or occurrence. The word means to remain or pause at a particular place.

Example: Martha moved to New York, but I stayed back to complete my degree.

Other meanings of Stayed

One could also use the word to speak about a legal proceeding. An example of the same can be seen in a sentence used by CNN- What we know so far about Wab Kinew’s convictions, stayed charges.

Some synonyms of the word

Here are some words you can use as synonyms: remain (behind), stay behind, stay put, wait, wait around, linger, stick, continue, be left, hold on, hang on, lodge, rest, delay, pause, stop, hang around/round, hang about, bide, tarry, continue to be, remain, keep, persist in being, carry on being, go on being, etc.

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Staid

This word from the homophone pair is instead an adjective, which means it adds more information about the subject. It means respectable, sedate or unadventurous.

Example: Mr Joseph is a staid-looking man; I don’t think he would agree with your pranks.

Other meanings of Staid

The word could also be used for someone who is boring or doesn’t enjoy crowd or parties. It could also account for something or someone serious or grave.

Some synonyms of the word

Here are some words you can use as synonyms: sedate, respectable, quiet, serious, serious-minded, steady, conventional, traditional, unadventurous, unenterprising, set in one’s ways, grave, solemn, severe, sombre, sober, proper, decorous, formal, stuffy, prim, demure, prissy, stiff, starchy, uptight, stick-in-the-mud, etc.