staff
/stɑːf/ (bre, ipa) · /stæf/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstaf/ (ame, mw)
staff — noun
- staffsingular
- staffsplural
1. the complete group of people that a company or organization employs, regarded as
the complete group of people that a company or organization employs, regarded as one body rather than as separate individuals
The hospital staff worked through the night to treat passengers hurt in the bus crash.
collective noun: takes singular verb when treated as a unit
The principal thanked the teaching staff for their hard work during the final exam period.
collocation: teaching staff / office staff / hospital staff
The company's staff numbers have doubled since it opened a second factory.
All staff must complete the fire safety training by the end of the month.
The museum has a small staff of twelve people, including the curator and the guides.
文法句型
staff + singular/plural verb
staff of + organization
用法筆記
In British English, staff is often treated as a plural noun (the staff are…), while in American English a singular verb is more common (the staff is…). Both are acceptable. When you need to count individuals, use a member of staff or a staff member rather than a staff.
常見錯誤
2. a single person employed by an organization, especially when counting or referri
a single person employed by an organization, especially when counting or referring to them as an individual part of the workforce
Each staff member must sign in at the reception desk before starting their shift.
'staff member' as countable noun for one person
Niran has been a member of the hospital accounting staff for twelve years.
The hotel has hired twenty new staff to handle the busy summer tourist season.
Renata is one of the few staff who can use the old library printer.
- employee
more common and natural for a single person; 'staff' in this sense is collective-count only
- worker
broader; includes manual labour, not necessarily salaried
- team member
focuses on belonging to a group within the organization
文法句型
member of staff
staff member
number + staff
用法筆記
Sense 2 overlaps with Sense 1 but focuses on individual members. Use 'a member of staff' or 'a staff member' rather than 'a staff' for a single person. You can, however, use a number before staff to count individuals: 'five staff' means 'five staff members'.
常見錯誤
3. a sturdy handheld rod carried to help a person balance while walking, to strike
a sturdy handheld rod carried to help a person balance while walking, to strike in self-defence, or to mark a position of rank or office
The elderly hiker leaned on his wooden staff as he climbed the steep mountain path.
walking support context
The tribal chief raised his staff to signal that the ceremony was about to begin.
symbol of authority context
Feng used a thick oak staff to push aside the branches blocking the forest trail.
The bishop carried an ornate silver staff during the religious procession through the town square.
Medieval travellers carried a sturdy staff to protect themselves from wild animals and thieves.
- stick
more general; can be any piece of wood, not necessarily a crafted object
- rod
thinner than a staff, often made of metal; less associated with walking support
- cane
modern term for a walking support; usually shorter with a curved handle
- sceptre
specifically a ceremonial staff held by a monarch; narrower in meaning
文法句型
staff + preposition (of, with)
用法筆記
This sense is more literary or historical than everyday English. For an ordinary walking stick, 'cane' or 'walking stick' is more common in modern speech. 'Staff' in this sense survives mainly in ceremonial, fantasy, or historical contexts.
常見錯誤
4. a tall, straight pole, usually made of wood or metal, from which a flag is flown
a tall, straight pole, usually made of wood or metal, from which a flag is flown or hung
The national flag flew proudly from the staff at the top of the government building.
formal register: 'staff' for flagpole
Quan lowered the flag down the staff as the sun set over the mountains.
The school installed a new metal staff in the courtyard for the morning flag-raising ceremony.
The soldiers raised the battalion flag on the staff at sunrise to start the day.
文法句型
staff + of (flag)
flag + on a staff
用法筆記
This sense is somewhat formal or literary. In everyday conversation, 'flagpole' (or 'flag pole') is much more common. 'Staff' for flagpole survives mainly in ceremonial, military, or poetic language.
5. in written music notation, the framework of five parallel lines whose gaps creat
in written music notation, the framework of five parallel lines whose gaps create four intervals, where symbols indicating different pitches are positioned
The teacher drew a staff and asked Noa to place the notes correctly.
music education context
Each line and space on the staff stands for a pitch that musicians read.
Élise learned to read staff notes before she started playing the violin at age seven.
The composer wrote the flute line on the top staff and piano on the bottom.
- stave
alternative spelling and pronunciation of 'staff' in musical contexts; more common in British English
文法句型
on the staff
the lines of the staff
用法筆記
The plural form is staves (pronounced /steɪvz/), following an older English plural pattern. In modern music scores, two staves are connected by a brace for piano music. 'Staff' is also sometimes spelled 'stave' in British musical contexts.
常見錯誤
staff — verb
- staffpresent simple I / you / we / they
- staffs3rd person singular
- staffing-ing form
- staffedpast simple
1. to supply workers for a business, team, or event, or to work in a particular rol
to supply workers for a business, team, or event, or to work in a particular role within an organization
The company is currently staffing its new branch in Singapore with experienced regional managers.
staffing a location with people
The hospital is well staffed with nurses and doctors who work around the clock.
passive: 'be staffed with'
Christopher's weekend job involves staffing the front desk at a busy hotel near the airport.
The event organisers struggled to staff the information booths for the three-day international festival.
The call centre is staffed by a team who speak six languages for global clients.
文法句型
staff + noun phrase
be staffed by/with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly used in the passive voice (be staffed by/with) to describe how a place is equipped with workers. The present participle staffing is also common in business contexts (staffing agency, staffing issues).