Stay over Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Social Gesture Implies you're close enough to the host to stay at their place. I felt so at home when they said I could stay over. Pro Tip 2/3Safety First Used to avoid traveling late at night or in bad weather. It's snowing heavily; it's safer to stay over tonight. Pro Tip 3/3Unplanned Event Can suggest an unexpected change of plans. The meeting ran late, so I had to stay over.