WordGarden.iostall
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /stˈɔːl/
US
- /ˈstɔl/
Meanings
Verb
to stop making progress or to delay something
to cause an engine or vehicle to stop running, or to stop running that way
Noun
a small booth or stand where goods are sold
a small separate compartment for one person or animal
Beyond the definition
Imagine a busy marketplace: vendors might stall for time while negotiating, hoping to make a customer wait a little longer for a better price. But "stall" is not just about delay. It can also mean to come to a complete stop, like a car engine that suddenly stalls in the middle of traffic. And if you have ever visited a farm, you know a stall is a small, separate space in a barn where an animal is kept safe and fed. So, depending on how it is used, "stall" can be about buying time, stopping movement, or providing a small divided space.
The word "stall" is surprisingly versatile, carrying several distinct meanings that usually relate to stopping, delaying, or containing. Most commonly, to stall means to deliberately delay an action in order to gain time, often as a tactic in negotiations or awkward social situations. A politician might stall when asked a difficult question to avoid giving a direct answer, or you might stall a friend on the phone because you aren't quite ready to leave the house yet.
Beyond deliberate delays, "stall" also describes a sudden, often unintentional stop in movement. An engine might stall if it does not get enough fuel, and even a process, like a business deal or a conversation, can stall if it hits an unexpected obstacle and comes to a standstill. In aviation, a stall is a serious condition in which an aircraft loses the lift needed to keep flying.
Finally, "stall" also refers to physical spaces. It can mean a small booth or stand at a market where goods are sold, or a partitioned section in a stable for an individual horse or cow. It is also used for the small, private compartments in a public restroom. Whether you are buying time, restarting a car, or browsing a local fair, "stall" is a word that neatly captures the idea of delay, stoppage, and small enclosed spaces.
Examples
- 1
Fruit stand
We bought mangoes from a fruit stall near the station.
- 2
Food market
There was a long line at the noodle stall in the night market.
- 3
Bathroom
I waited outside the bathroom stall until my son was finished.
- 4
Engine trouble
My car stalled at the lights, and the driver behind me started honking.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Negotiations
Talks between the company and the union have stalled again.
- 6
Project funding
The project stalled when the team ran out of funding.
- 7
Delay tactic
She kept asking unrelated questions to stall for time.
- Phrasestall for time
delay so you have more time
- 8
Meeting delay
He tried to stall the meeting by bringing up minor problems.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- stallnounverb
Forms
- stallspluralnounverb
- stalledpast tenseverbnoun
- stalling-ing formverbnoun