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stale
/steɪl/
not fresh
The bread was stale after sitting out for two days.
The bread lost its freshness and became hard and dry.
neutral
no longer fresh; dry, hard, or unappetizing due to age
The cookies became stale within hours of baking.
The cookies lost their freshness quickly.
Stale air filled the room after the windows were closed all day.
The air in the room felt old and unventilated.
Often used for food, air, or ideas that feel outdated or unoriginal.
figurative
lacking vitality or originality; dull or uninspired
His jokes sounded stale after hearing them too many times.
His jokes felt overused and uninteresting.
Commonly describes ideas, conversations, or performances that feel repetitive.
Collocations
stale breadbread that is no longer fresh and has become hard or drystale airair that feels old, stuffy, or poorly ventilatedstale newsinformation that is old or no longer relevant
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'stagnant'
'Stale' describes food or ideas losing freshness, while 'stagnant' refers to liquid (like water) that is not flowing and may smell bad. Example: 'The pond was stagnant' (correct) vs. 'The pond was stale' (incorrect).
Gold Rule
Use 'stale' for food and ideas
Reserve 'stale' for things that were once fresh but have lost their quality over time, such as bread, air, or jokes. Do not use it for liquids or situations where 'stagnant' or 'old' would be more appropriate.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'stal' (standing firm), from Old English 'stalu' (place, stable). Related to German 'Stall' (stable) and Dutch 'stal' (stable). The sense of 'not fresh' emerged in the 16th century, likely from the idea of food losing its vitality.
Usage Notes
Commonly used for food (especially bread, cakes, or cereal) but also extends metaphorically to ideas, conversations, or environments. Avoid using for liquids (e.g., 'stale water' is incorrect; use 'stagnant' instead).
Word Breakdown
stale
no longer fresh or lively
rootEnglish Dictionary