What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stair
Example
Be careful not to trip on the broken stair. [stair: noun]
Example
I always take the stairs instead of the elevator for exercise. [stairs: plural noun]
Example
She sat on the bottom stair and waited for her friend. [stair: noun]
stairway
Example
The stairway to the second floor was blocked off for repairs. [stairway: noun]
Example
The bride made her grand entrance down the sweeping stairway. [stairway: noun]
Example
Be careful on the steep attic stairway, it's easy to lose your balance. [stairway: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stair is more commonly used than stairway in everyday language. Stair is a more basic and functional term that covers a wide range of contexts, while stairway is less common and often used in more formal or grand settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stair and stairway?
While stair is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, stairway is more formal and often used in grand or elegant settings.
