Stall — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈstȯl/

Meaning & Definition of Stall

Stall (noun)

  1. a compartment for a domestic animal in a stable or barn
  2. a space marked off for parking a motor vehicle
  3. a seat in the chancel of a church with back and sides wholly or partly enclosed
  4. the condition of an airfoil or aircraft in which excessive angle of attack causes disruption of airflow with attendant loss of lift
  5. a ruse to deceive or delay

Stall (verb)

  1. to put into or keep in a stall
  2. install
  3. to bring to a standstill, block; especially, mire —often used figuratively
  4. to play for time, delay
  5. to hold off, divert, or delay by evasion or deception

Stall (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to bring (something) to a standstill

    "endless complaints stalled the process of selecting the winning design for the memorial"

    similar: arrest, bring up, catch, check, draw up, fetch up, halt, hold up, pull up, stay, still, stop
    related: baffle, balk, block, blockade, bottleneck, clog, dam, detain, hinder, hold, hold back, impede, obstruct, snag, stem, conclude, cut off, end, terminate, call, discontinue, suspend, choke off, rein (in), repress, squash, squelch, stanch, stunt, suppress, turn back
    near: carry on, continue, follow through (with), keep (on), keep up, persist, run on, advance, fare, go along, march, move, proceed, progress, wend, actuate, budge, drive, goad, impel, propel, push, spur, stir

  2. to stop functioning

    "the engine stalls sometimes when it's very cold outside"

    similar: break, break down, conk (out), crash, cut out, die, fail, give out
    related: fizzle, sputter, wheeze, act up, malfunction, jam
    opposite: start (up)

Stall (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in box, booth

    similar: booth, box, crib, loge, cavity, hole, hollow, bunker, crypt, vault, cabinet, drawer, locker, alcove, niche, nook, recess, cubbyhole, pigeonhole, snuggery (chiefly British), bay, cabin, cell, chamber, compartment, cube, cubicle

  2. as in delay, holdup

    similar: delay, holdup, embargo, stoppage, burden, cumber, load, arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint, danger, hazard, peril, reef, barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall, adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardship, catch, hitch, rub, snag, balk, bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, fetter, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammel
    opposite: catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus, advantage, break, edge, aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden, help

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Stall

The most common words with a similar meaning to Stall:

Chiefly British: snuggery
arrest, bring up, catch, check, draw up, fetch up, halt, hold up, pull up, stay, still, stop, break, break down, conk (out), crash, cut out, die, fail, give out, booth, box, crib, loge, cavity, hole, hollow, bunker, crypt, vault, cabinet, drawer, locker, alcove, niche, nook, recess, cubbyhole, pigeonhole, bay

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Stall

Words with the opposite meaning of Stall:

start (up), catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus, advantage, break, edge, aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden, help

Related Words for Stall

baffle, bottleneck, dam, detain, hinder, hold, hold back, impede, obstruct, stem, conclude, cut off, end, terminate, call, discontinue, suspend, choke off, rein (in), repress, squash, squelch, stanch, stunt, suppress, turn back, fizzle, sputter, wheeze, act up

Near Antonyms of Stall

carry on, continue, follow through (with), keep (on), keep up, persist, run on, advance, fare, go along, march, move, proceed, progress, wend, actuate, budge, drive, impel, propel, push, stir

Word Forms of Stall

Inflections: stalled, stalling, stalls

Origin & Etymology of Stall

Middle English, from Old English steall; akin to Old High German stal place, stall and perhaps to Latin locus (Old Latin stlocus) place

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Stall

Words & Phrases Containing Stall

stall-feed, box stall, whip stall

Frequently Asked Questions about Stall

What does "Stall" mean?

"Stall" means a compartment for a domestic animal in a stable or barn. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a compartment for a domestic animal in a stable or barn. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Stall"?

Other words for "Stall" include arrest, bring up, catch, check, draw up, fetch up, halt and hold up. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Stall" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Stall"?

There are 136 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Stall". Common alternatives include arrest, bring up, catch, check, draw up, fetch up, halt, hold up, pull up and stay.

What is the opposite of "Stall"?

Antonyms of "Stall" include start (up), catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant and stimulus. Near antonyms include carry on, continue, follow through (with) and keep (on).

How do you use "Stall" in a sentence?

Examples of "Stall" in a sentence: "endless complaints stalled the process of selecting the winning design for the memorial"; "the engine stalls sometimes when it's very cold outside".

Is "Stall" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Stall" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Stall" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Stall" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Stall"?

"Stall" is pronounced /ˈstȯl/.