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stick around

/stɪk əˌraʊnd/
/stɪk əˈraʊnd/
IPA guide

Other forms: sticking around; sticks around

When you stick around somewhere, you stay there for a while. You might decide to stick around after school to play basketball with your friends.

If people linger or remain, they stick around. Your sister could decide to stick around after your debate to find out if you've won any prizes, and your dog might be the well-trained sort who will stick around at the park even if you take his leash off. This common slang phrase has been around since the early 1900's, from the sense of stick meaning "to cling, or to stay close by."

Definitions of stick around
  1. verb
    stay put (in a certain place)
    synonyms: stay, stay put, stick
    see moresee less
    type of:
    stay in place
    be stationary
  2. verb
    be available or ready for a certain function or service
    synonyms: stand by, stick about
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    type of:
    wait
    stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
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