The difference between Stand by and Stay

When used as verbs, stand by means to wait in expectation of some event, whereas stay means to prop.

Stay is also noun with the meaning: continuance or a period of time spent in a place.

Stay is also adverb with the meaning: steeply.

Stay is also adjective with the meaning: steep.

check bellow for the other definitions of Stand by and Stay

Stand by as a verb (idiomatic, intransitive):

To wait in expectation of some event; to make ready.

Examples:

"Please stand by for more instructions."
Stand by as a verb (idiomatic, transitive):

To remain loyal or faithful to.

Examples:

"Even though money is scarce sometimes, Ann stands by her decision to be a full-time mother."
Stand by as a verb (idiomatic, transitive):

To support; to continue to support despite things being bad.

Examples:

"They stood by us all along and it's awesome to see them out here to support us today."
Stand by as a verb (intransitive):

To do nothing. To be inactive in a situation.

Examples:

"I can't simply stand by and watch you ruin your life."
Stand by as a verb (intransitive):

to be ready to provide assistance if required.

Examples:

"The tug stood by in case it was needed."

Stay as a verb (transitive):

To prop; support; sustain; hold up; steady.
Stay as a verb (transitive):

To support from sinking; to sustain with strength; to satisfy in part or for the time.
Stay as a verb (transitive):

To stop; detain; keep back; delay; hinder.
Stay as a verb (transitive):

To restrain; withhold; check; stop.
Stay as a verb (transitive):

To cause to cease; to put an end to.
Stay as a verb (transitive):

To put off; defer; postpone; delay; keep back.

Examples:

"The governor stayed the execution until the appeal could be heard."
Stay as a verb (transitive):

To hold the attention of.
Stay as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

To bear up under; to endure; to hold out against; to resist.
Stay as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

To wait for; await.
Stay as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

To remain for the purpose of; to wait for.
Stay as a verb (intransitive, obsolete):

To rest; depend; rely.
Stay as a verb (intransitive, obsolete):

To stop; come to a stand or standstill.
Stay as a verb (intransitive, archaic):

To come to an end; cease.

Examples:

"That day the storm stayed."
Stay as a verb (intransitive, archaic):

To dwell; linger; tarry; wait.
Stay as a verb (intransitive, dated):

To make a stand; to stand firm.
Stay as a verb (intransitive, obsolete):

To hold out, as in a race or contest; last or persevere to the end.

Examples:

"That horse stays well."
Stay as a verb (intransitive):

To remain in a particular place, especially for a definite or short period of time; sojourn; abide.

Examples:

"We stayed in Hawaii for a week.&emsp; I can only stay for an hour."
Stay as a verb (intransitive, obsolete):

To wait; rest in patience or expectation.
Stay as a verb (intransitive, obsolete, used with ''on'' or ''upon''):

To wait as an attendant; give ceremonious or submissive attendance.
Stay as a verb (intransitive):

To continue to have a particular quality.

Examples:

"Wear gloves so your hands stay warm."
Stay as a verb (intransitive, US South, AAVE, colloquial, non-standard):

To live; reside

Examples:

"Hey, where do you stay at?"

Stay as a noun:

Continuance or a period of time spent in a place; abode for an indefinite time; sojourn.

Examples:

"I hope you enjoyed your stay in Hawaii."
Stay as a noun:

A postponement, especially of an execution or other punishment.

Examples:

"The governor granted a stay of execution."
Stay as a noun (archaic):

A stop; a halt; a break or cessation of action, motion, or progress.

Examples:

"stand at a stay"
Stay as a noun:

A fixed state; fixedness; stability; permanence.
Stay as a noun (nautical):

A station or fixed anchorage for vessels.
Stay as a noun:

Restraint of passion; prudence; moderation; caution; steadiness; sobriety.
Stay as a noun (obsolete):

Hindrance; let; check.

Stay as a noun:

A prop; a support.
Stay as a noun:

A piece of stiff material, such as plastic or whalebone, used to stiffen a piece of clothing.

Examples:

"Where are the stays for my collar?"
Stay as a noun:

(plural) A corset
Stay as a noun (archaic):

A fastening for a garment; a hook; a clasp; anything to hang another thing on.

Stay as a noun (nautical):

A strong rope supporting a mast, and leading from one masthead down to some other, or other part of the vessel.
Stay as a noun:

A guy, rope, or wire supporting or stabilizing a platform, such as a bridge, a pole, such as a tentpole, the mast of a derrick, or other structural element.

Examples:

"The engineer insisted on using stays for the scaffolding."
Stay as a noun (chain-cable):

The transverse piece in a link.

Stay as a verb:

To brace or support with a stay or stays

Examples:

"stay a mast"
Stay as a verb (transitive, nautical):

To incline forward, aft, or to one side by means of stays.
Stay as a verb (transitive, nautical):

To tack; put on the other tack.

Examples:

"to stay ship"
Stay as a verb (intransitive, nautical):

To change; tack; go about; be in stays, as a ship.

Stay as an adjective (UK, _, dialectal):

Steep; ascending.
Stay as an adjective (UK, _, dialectal):

Steeply pitched.
Stay as an adjective (UK, _, dialectal):

Difficult to negotiate; not easy to access; sheer.
Stay as an adjective (UK, _, dialectal):

Stiff; upright; unbending; reserved; haughty; proud.

Stay as an adverb (UK, _, dialectal):

Steeply.

The difference between Stand by and Stay

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