stair
gb/stˈɛɹ/ us/stˈɛɹ/
A1
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
one step of a staircase
One step in a set of steps that help you go up or down.
Usage pattern:
to walk up/down [a stair]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'stair' when they mean 'stairs' (plural) to refer to the whole structure.
Synonyms
step (General term for the flat part you put your foot on; can refer to stairs or other steps outdoors.)
Antonyms
landing (A flat area between sets of stairs, not a single step.)
Collocations
climb a stair
|miss a stair
|slip on a stair
|wooden stair
Themes
daily life
|home
|architecture
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She tripped on the top stair.
- The old wooden stair creaked loudly.
- He paused on the stair to catch his breath.
- There’s a crack in the third stair from the bottom.
Learner examples
- I sit on the stair.
- He stands on one stair.
- She walks up the stair slowly.
- The dog sleeps on the stair.
Noun
A1
entity
2
set of steps between levels
A group of steps that help you go from one floor to another.
Usage pattern:
to go up/down [the stairs]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'stairs' with 'steps' when talking about outdoor settings.
Synonyms
staircase (More formal or architectural term for the whole structure.)
Antonyms
elevator (A machine that carries people between floors instead of steps.)
Collocations
climb the stairs
|go down the stairs
|run up the stairs
|fall down the stairs
Themes
daily life
|home
|architecture
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He ran up the stairs to answer the phone.
- They painted the stairs bright red.
- We met on the stairs outside her apartment.
- The stairs were slippery after the rain.
Learner examples
- I go up the stairs.
- She runs down the stairs.
- We clean the stairs every week.
- He falls down the stairs.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stair
IPA
GB/stˈɛɹ/
US/stˈɛɹ/
Syllables & stress
stair (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (stair)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: stair
- Plural: stairs
Word family
Expressions
fall down the stairs
1/fˈɔl dˈaʊn ðə stˈɛɹz/
fixed phrase
accidentally tumble down steps
To go down stairs by accident because you lose your balance.
Examples
- She fell down the stairs and hurt her ankle.
- Be careful, or you might fall down the stairs.
go down the stairs
1/ɡˈoʊ dˈaʊn ðə stˈɛɹz/
fixed phrase
descend using steps
To walk from a higher place to a lower place using stairs.
Examples
- She went down the stairs to greet her guests.
- We go down the stairs to reach the garden.
run up the stairs
1/ɹˈʌn ˈʌp ðə stˈɛɹz/
fixed phrase
go upstairs quickly on foot
To go up stairs fast by running.
Examples
- He ran up the stairs to answer the phone.
- The children ran up the stairs laughing.