Staff — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Staff
Staff (noun)
- a long stick carried in the hand for support in walking
- a supporting rod
- shaft
Staff (verb)
- to supply with a staff or with workers
- to serve as a staff member of
Word Forms of Staff
Inflections: staffs, staves, staffed, staffing
Derived words: staff (adjective)
Origin & Etymology of Staff
Middle English staf, from Old English stæf; akin to Old High German stab staff, Sanskrit stabhnāti he supports
First known use: before 12th century
Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Staff
- CEFR level: B1 English Vocabulary — Page 14
- Topics: Work & Jobs
Words & Phrases Containing Staff
Frequently Asked Questions about Staff
What does "Staff" mean?
"Staff" means a long stick carried in the hand for support in walking. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a long stick carried in the hand for support in walking. It has 5 distinct senses.
Is "Staff" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Staff" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.
Is "Staff" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?
As a B1-level word, "Staff" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.
How do you pronounce "Staff"?
"Staff" is pronounced /ˈstaf/.
What is the origin of the word "Staff"?
"Staff" comes from Middle English staf, from Old English stæf; akin to Old High German stab staff, Sanskrit stabhnāti he supports. First known use: before 12th century.
What does "Staff" mean as a noun?
As a noun, "Staff" means: a long stick carried in the hand for support in walking; a supporting rod; shaft.
What does "Staff" mean as a verb?
As a verb, "Staff" means: to supply with a staff or with workers; to serve as a staff member of.
What CEFR level is "Staff"?
"Staff" is a B1-level word in SophDict's CEFR vocabulary lists, which group English words from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient).