English · Food & Drink
stale
/steɪl/
[/steɪl/]
no longer fresh
Intermediateadjective
Definition
No longer fresh, especially bread or other food that has become dry or hard. It can also describe air or ideas that are no longer new.
Example
The bread was stale and hard to eat.
The bread was stale and hard to eat.
Etymology
From Old French 'estale' (settled, stationary), of Germanic origin.
How & Where It’s Used
Used for old food and figuratively for ideas, jokes, or air.