stick around

stay somewhere and wait for a while

B2

What does "stick around" mean?

To stick around means to stay in a place and wait, usually after something has ended or while something else is about to happen. There is often a reason implied — you might stick around to see what happens next, to speak to someone, or just in case something interesting occurs. It suggests a deliberate choice to remain rather than leave, even if you are not doing anything in particular. The phrase is informal and conversational, making it common in everyday speech, text messages, and film dialogue. It is especially frequent in American English, though speakers worldwide will understand it.

Examples

How to use it

stick around (no object)

This phrasal verb is always intransitive — it never takes a direct object after it.

The event finished early, but most people decided to stick around.

stick around + to-infinitive

Use a to-infinitive after 'stick around' to explain the reason for staying.

She stuck around to ask the speaker a few questions after the talk.

stick around + time expression

Time expressions like 'for a while', 'until the end', or 'after the show' are very common after this phrasal verb.

Can you stick around for a few minutes? I need to tell you something.

imperative: stick around!

The imperative form is very common — it is used as a casual invitation or request to wait.

Stick around — the best part is coming up next.

negative: not stick around

The negative form is equally natural and describes choosing to leave rather than wait.

He didn't stick around long enough to find out the result.

Common Collocations

stick around for a whilestick around after the show/class/meetingstick around to find outnot stick around longworth sticking around fordecide to stick around

Common Mistakes

Using it as a transitive verb

'Stick around' cannot take a direct noun object immediately after it. If you want to mention a location, use a preposition such as 'in' or 'near' with a separate phrase.

✗ We stuck around the venue for an hour.
✓ We stuck around near the venue for an hour. / We stuck around at the venue for an hour.
Confusing it with 'hang around'

'Hang around' suggests aimless loitering with no real goal, and can sound slightly negative. 'Stick around' implies a more deliberate choice to stay, often because you are expecting something to happen.

✗ I hung around after the meeting to hear the final decision.
✓ I stuck around after the meeting to hear the final decision.
Using it in formal or professional writing

'Stick around' is distinctly informal — it sounds out of place in formal emails, reports, or professional contexts. Use 'remain', 'stay', or 'wait' instead.

✗ Guests are encouraged to stick around for the networking session.
✓ Guests are encouraged to remain for the networking session.

Usage

This phrasal verb is informal and conversational — avoid it in formal writing or professional emails. It is especially common in American English and frequently appears in imperatives ('Stick around!') or with an infinitive of purpose ('I stayed to stick around and see what happened').

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'stick around' always mean waiting for something to happen, or can it describe staying in a place for a long time?

It can describe both, but the most typical use is staying somewhere temporarily while waiting or hoping for something. However, it can also describe a longer-term choice to remain — for example, staying in a city, a job, or a difficult situation. Context usually makes the meaning clear.

Can I use 'stick around' in the past perfect continuous — like 'I had been sticking around'?

Technically possible, but this sounds very unnatural and most native speakers would avoid it. Simpler past forms like 'I stuck around' or 'I had been waiting' are much more natural choices.

Is 'stick around' more American English, or do British speakers use it too?

It is more associated with American English, where it is very common. British English speakers understand it well and use it, but slightly less frequently. It is the kind of phrase you will hear everywhere in American films and TV shows.

What is the difference between 'worth sticking around for' and 'worth staying for'?

Both mean the same thing, but 'worth sticking around for' is more informal and energetic in tone — it often implies excitement or anticipation. 'Worth staying for' is slightly more neutral and works in a wider range of situations, including slightly more formal ones.

Can 'stick around' describe a person who stays loyal in a difficult situation, like in a relationship or job?

Yes, this is a natural extension of the core meaning. Saying someone 'stuck around' when things were hard conveys that they deliberately chose to stay rather than give up or walk away. It adds a sense of commitment to the basic idea of remaining.

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