What does STALE mean?

Stale

Parts of Speech: Adjective

Definitions:

• (of food) no longer fresh and pleasant to eat; hard, dry, and not easy to bite or chew
• (of air or a room) having an unpleasant smell because of lack of freshness or circulation
• (of an idea, joke, or style) no longer new or interesting

Pronunciations:

• US: /steɪl/
• UK: /steɪl/

Origin and Usage:

The word "stale" originated from the Old English word "stæl" which means "place" or "position". Its current meaning has been in use since the 14th century. The word is commonly used to describe food that is no longer fresh, air or a room that has an unpleasant smell, and ideas, jokes, or styles that are no longer new or interesting.

Synonyms:

• old
• hard
• dry
• musty
• uninspired

Related Words:

• slate
• steal
• tales
• least
• sleet

Example Sentences:

• The bread was stale and hard to chew.
• The room smelled stale because the windows had not been opened in days.
• His jokes were stale and no longer funny.