What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stay
Example
We stayed at the hotel for two nights. [stay: verb]
Example
I'm planning to stay in Paris for a week. [stay: verb]
Example
Our flight had a short stay in Dubai before continuing to our final destination. [stay: noun]
dwell
Example
The family dwelled in the countryside for many years. [dwell: verb]
Example
She tends to dwell on negative thoughts and experiences. [dwell: verb]
Example
His speech was a deep dwell into the complexities of the issue. [dwell: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stay is more commonly used than dwell in everyday language. Stay is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dwell is less common and more formal.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between stay and dwell?
Dwell is more formal than stay and is typically used in more academic or literary contexts. Stay is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
