STOP

(STAY) [verb] [I] -pp- - to stay in a placeAre you coming with me or are you stopping here?I can't stop - Malcolm's waiting for me outside.(UK) Now that you're here, why don't you stop for some tea?(UK) I've been out every night this week, so I thought I'd stop in (= stay at home) tonight.(UK) We stopped up (= did not go to bed) until two o'clock last night watching the late film.To stop by is to visit someone briefly, usually on the way to somewhere else.I was passing your house, so I thought I'd stop by for a coffee.To stop off is to visit or stay at a place briefly on the way to somewhere else.I'll stop off (at the shops) on my way home and get some wine.We're going to stop off in Paris for a couple of days before heading south.To stop over is to stay at a place for one night or a few nights on the way to somewhere else or before returning home.They're stopping over in Malaysia for a couple of nights on the way to Australia.(UK) Come round for dinner one night and you can stop over (US stay over).(esp. US) To stop around/round is to visit someone briefly, esp. at their home.Why don't you stop round some time?