What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stays
Example
She wore stays under her dress to achieve an hourglass figure. [stays: noun]
Example
The steel beams act as stays to keep the building from collapsing. [stays: noun]
Example
We're staying at a hotel near the beach for our vacation. [staying: verb]
corset
Example
She laced up her corset tightly to achieve a slim waist. [corset: noun]
Example
The corset-like structure keeps the bridge from swaying in the wind. [corset-like: adjective]
Example
The boots had corset-style lacing up the front. [corset-style: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Corset is more commonly used than stays in everyday language, especially in fashion and media contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stays and corset?
Both stays and corset are associated with formal or historical contexts, but corset may be more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
