stash

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "stash" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a hiding place, or a secret reserve of something, especially something illegal or illicit. For example, "The suspect was found to have a large stash of drugs in his apartment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A stash of bronze set aside for Da Vinci's sculpture was needed instead to cast cannon.

The Guardian - Arts

Her other main find was a rich stash of Carter's paintings.

The Guardian - Books

A muscle guarding the Barksdale stash, soon to be taken out by Omar, describes how some "white motherfucker and his wife" came looking for the "po' house", which he took to mean one lived in by poor people until it turned out they were more interested in Edgar Allen Poe.

The Guardian

Before you can say, "Lovely jubbly, me old treacle," Mick has sold on the stash at a hefty mark-up.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The suspected stash house was found during a search for a 24-year-old woman and her two children, a 7-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy, that were reported missing by relatives late Tuesday after a man failed to meet them as planned at an undisclosed location on the city's north side, said John Cannon, a spokesman for the Houston Police Department.

The Guardian

They'd give him all the drugs to stash because, even then, he looked younger than his years and the police never searched him.

The Guardian

An Asian man was arrested on the outskirts of the capital Maputo at a house where the stash was stored.

The Guardian

And if we have to stash away large amounts of carbon to create temporary relief in our emission balance why not grow some food with it?

The Guardian

On Tuesday, a judge in New Orleans ordered that Durst should stay in Louisiana at least until the beginning of next week following the discovery in his hotel room of a.38-calibre revolver and a personal stash of marijuana.

The Guardian

"Every 'Forbes' has a stash of a few tens of million dollars," she said, using the name of the American business magazine to mean a wealthy tycoon on its famous list of billionaires.

The Guardian

I rented out a property: I knew it was going to be used for a stash and, knowing the people I knew, it was probably some form of drugs.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stash", consider the context. It often implies secrecy or something hidden, so ensure it aligns with your intended meaning. If you're simply storing something openly, a word like "store" or "keep" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "stash" in formal writing unless you specifically want to convey a sense of secrecy or informality. In professional or academic settings, opt for more neutral terms like "store", "reserve", or "accumulate."

Linguistic Context

The word "stash" functions primarily as a verb or a noun. As a verb, it signifies the act of concealing or storing something. As a noun, it refers to a hidden supply or collection, as Ludwig examples illustrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "stash" functions as both a verb and a noun, denoting the act of hiding something or referring to the hidden collection itself. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and widely used. While frequently found in news and media, it carries a slightly informal tone, making it crucial to consider the context before employing it in formal writing. Remember, while synonyms like "hoard", "cache" or "hide away" exist, "stash" uniquely implies secrecy and concealment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cache

Implies a hidden store of goods or valuables.

hide away

Focuses on the act of concealing something in a secure or secret location.

squirrel away

Idiomatic expression suggesting the careful saving and concealing of something, often for future needs.

hoard

Suggests accumulating and concealing something, often in excessive amounts.

stockpile

Refers to a large accumulation of resources, typically for future use.

put aside

Emphasizes the act of saving or reserving something for future use.

set aside

Similar to 'put aside', but can also imply designating something for a specific purpose.

lay away

To reserve an article for a customer by holding it until the customer pays for it.

amass

To gather together or acquire a large amount of something, often wealth or power.

accumulate

General term for gathering or increasing something over time.

FAQs

How can I use "stash" in a sentence?

You can use "stash" as a verb, meaning to hide or store something away, as in "He stashed the money under the mattress." It can also be used as a noun, referring to a hidden collection or reserve, such as "They discovered a large stash of weapons."

What's the difference between "stash" and "hoard"?

"Stash" usually implies a smaller, more secretive collection, while "hoard" suggests a larger, often excessive accumulation. "Stash" is frequently associated with illicit items, while "hoard" can refer to any kind of collection.

What are some alternatives to using the word "stash"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "hide away", "put aside", or "cache" to convey similar meanings.

Is it appropriate to use "stash" in professional writing?

While "stash" is a valid word, it's generally more suitable for informal contexts. In professional writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "store", "reserve", or "accumulate" unless you specifically need to convey the idea of something being hidden or illicit.