stale

[steɪl]

stale Definition

  • 1no longer fresh and pleasant to eat; hard, musty, or dry
  • 2lacking in energy, enthusiasm, or effectiveness

Using stale: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "stale" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The bread had gone stale and was no longer edible.

  • Example

    The air in the room was stale and stuffy.

  • Example

    The team's performance has become stale and predictable.

  • Example

    The comedian's jokes were stale and unoriginal.

  • Example

    Their relationship had grown stale over time.

stale Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms Using stale

  • stale as yesterday's news

    no longer interesting or relevant

    Example

    His ideas were stale as yesterday's news, and nobody wanted to work with him anymore.

  • something that is no longer useful or valuable

    Example

    The old textbooks were stale bread and needed to be replaced.

  • something that has lost its flavor or appeal

    Example

    The movie was stale beer, and we left before it was over.

Phrases with stale

  • a situation in which further action or progress by opposing parties seems impossible

    Example

    The negotiations reached a stalemate, with neither side willing to compromise.

  • information that is no longer new or relevant

    Example

    By the time the article was published, it was already stale news.

  • a musty or unpleasant odor

    Example

    The basement had a stale scent due to the lack of ventilation.

Origins of stale

from Old English 'steal', meaning 'stiff'

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Summary: stale in Brief

The adjective 'stale' [steɪl] describes something that is no longer fresh or appealing, such as food or air. It can also refer to a lack of energy or enthusiasm, as in 'The team's performance has become stale and predictable.' 'Stale' is often used in phrases like 'stalemate,' which denotes a deadlock, and idioms like 'stale bread,' meaning something that is no longer useful or valuable.