Learn STAKE meaning, STAKE definition, and a key synonym like interest. See why STAKE appeared in NYT Connections and get Scrabble tips, examples, and origin.
What Does "STAKE" Mean? The Complete Stake Definition
The meaning of STAKE is a share, interest, or claim in something, especially a financial or personal interest. In everyday English, STAKE can also mean a pointed stick or post used for support, marking, or fastening; as a verb, it means to mark or support with stakes, or to risk or invest something in an outcome. So when someone asks, “what does STAKE mean,” the answer depends on context: it can refer to ownership, risk, or a physical object.
The STAKE definition most people need in word games is the “interest” sense, as in “a stake in the company” or “having a stake in the result.” That’s the form that appeared in NYT Connections. Etymologically, stake comes from Old English staca, meaning a pointed post, and later developed the figurative idea of something “set out” or “placed at risk.”
Stake Synonyms: Words Similar to STAKE
Synonyms for STAKE include words that overlap with its “interest” meaning, but each has a slightly different use.
interest — The closest match when STAKE means a personal, financial, or emotional involvement in something.
share — Best when referring to a portion of ownership or a part of something divided among people.
claim — Suggests a right or assertion, not just involvement, so it can feel more legal or formal.
concern — Fits when STAKE means something someone cares about, but it is broader and less specific than ownership.
involvement — Works for participation in an issue or project, though it does not necessarily imply risk or ownership.
investment — Strong when STAKE implies money or effort put into a result, but it usually suggests more deliberate commitment.
risk — Similar when STAKE is used as a verb meaning to put something on the line, though risk focuses on danger rather than ownership.
How to Use "STAKE" in a Sentence: Real Examples
Here are a few clear STAKE in a sentence examples showing different meanings and uses.
She has a financial stake in the company’s success.
They decided to stake the tent firmly in the ground before the storm.
The journalist argued that the public has a stake in the outcome of the trial.
He was willing to stake his reputation on the prediction.
STAKE in NYT Connections #1107 — Why Did It Appear?
STAKE Meaning & Definition: NYT Connections Answer
In NYT Connections #1107 on 2026-04-06, STAKE appeared in the Green, hardest category titled “INTEREST.” The other words in the group were CLAIM, CONCERN, and SHARE, all of which can relate to having an interest in something. That is why the STAKE meaning in word games was tricky: players who thought only of a wooden post or the verb “to stake” may have missed the abstract sense. If you were searching for the STAKE NYT Connections answer, the theme was really about ownership, involvement, or a personal concern.
Stake Word Origin and Etymology
The STAKE origin traces back to Old English staca, meaning a post, stake, or sharpened piece of wood. This older physical sense is still alive today in uses like fencing, tents, and marking boundaries. Over time, English speakers began using the word figuratively to describe something placed at risk or set aside in a deal, which helped the “interest” meaning develop.
From there, STAKE used in English expanded into business, legal, and social contexts. By the time modern usage settled in, stake definition commonly included an ownership interest, a shared concern, or something valuable a person stands to gain or lose. That semantic shift is why what does STAKE mean can lead to multiple correct answers depending on context.
Frequently Asked Questions About "STAKE"
What does STAKE mean? (Quick Answer)
The word STAKE means a share, interest, or claim in something, or a pointed post used for support or marking. In modern puzzle contexts, it often means an interest or involvement.
Is "STAKE" a valid Scrabble word?
Yes. STAKE is a real word and it is valid in Scrabble. It is worth 9 points in standard English Scrabble, and it can be useful because it uses common letters and can fit easily on the board.
What is the best synonym for STAKE?
The best STAKE synonym is usually interest when you mean involvement or a personal/financial concern. Share also works well when the meaning is a portion of ownership.
How do you pronounce STAKE?
STAYK — one syllable, stressed on the only syllable. The vowel sound is a long “a,” like in “day.”
Is STAKE used in everyday English?
Yes, STAKE used in English is common in both everyday and formal contexts. People might say they have a “stake in the outcome” of a project, meeting, election, or business decision, and the word also appears in physical contexts like camping or construction.
