B1noun1K

Staff

UK /["/stɑːf/"]/US /["/stæf/"]/

Definition

all the workers employed in an organization considered as a group

In simple words: A group of people who work for an organization.

Examples

  • The staff at the restaurant were very attentive and friendly.
  • Our school staff is dedicated to helping students succeed.
  • The security staff will check all bags at the entrance.
  • She has been a staff member for over five years.
  • The hospital staff worked long hours during the pandemic.
  • He played the staff role of project leader during the event.

Usage notes

Used to refer collectively to employees or a group in a workplace. In more formal contexts, 'staff' can imply a permanent group, while in informal settings, it might refer to volunteers or temporary workers.

Grammar pattern

staff + object

Memory hint

Think of a 'staff' as a team, like a group of knights supporting a king.

Collocations

  • full-time
  • part-time
  • permanent
  • employ
  • have
  • appoint
  • work
  • deal with somebody/​something
  • serve somebody/​something
  • member
  • person
  • position
  • on the staff (of)
  • chief of staff
  • member of staff
  • full-time
  • part-time
  • permanent
  • employ
  • have
  • appoint
  • work
  • deal with somebody/​something
  • serve somebody/​something
  • member
  • person
  • position
  • on the staff (of)
  • chief of staff
  • member of staff
  • full-time
  • part-time
  • permanent
  • employ
  • have
  • appoint
  • work
  • deal with somebody/​something
  • serve somebody/​something
  • member
  • person
  • position
  • on the staff (of)
  • chief of staff
  • member of staff

Synonyms

  • team
  • personnel
  • employees
  • crew
  • workforce

Antonyms

  • management
  • leadership

Common mistakes

  • Using 'staffs' as a plural; it should remain 'staff'.
  • Confusing 'staff' with 'staff member' when referring to one individual.
  • Using 'the staff' in inappropriate contexts, such as in casual conversations.