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stale
/steɪl/
When used to describe food, "stale" usually refers to items that have lost moisture or air quality, such as bread, crackers, or chips. It is different from "rotten," which means the food has decayed and become dangerous to eat. In a figurative sense, "stale" describes ideas, jokes, or routines that are no longer exciting because they have been used too many times. When talking about air, it refers to an environment that needs fresh air because it feels heavy, old, or smells unpleasant.
💬Casual Conversation
Tell me you didn't leave those chips open. They're totally stale.
my bad, I'll just toss 'em.
Meanings
No longer fresh and pleasant to eat; hard, dry, or tasteless.
"The bread had gone stale after being left on the counter for a week."
No longer new or interesting; hackneyed or cliché.
"The comedian's jokes felt stale and repetitive."
Not fresh; smelling musty or stagnant (usually referring to air).
"The room was filled with the stale smell of old cigarette smoke."
To become stale.
"If you leave the cake uncovered, it will quickly stale."
To make something stale or uninteresting.
"Repeating the same routine every day will stale the relationship."