delay vs stay

delay and stay both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
delay	Yes	No	Yes	No
stay	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, delay and stay are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of delay include detain.

As verbs, stay is a hyponym of delay; that is, stay is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than delay:

Other hyponyms of delay include dampen, delay, detain.

delay (noun)	stay (noun)
the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time	continuing or remaining in a place or state
time during which some action is awaited	(nautical) brace consisting of a heavy rope or wire cable used as a support for a mast or spar
	a thin strip of metal or bone that is used to stiffen a garment (e.g. a corset)
	a judicial order forbidding some action until an event occurs or the order is lifted
	the state of inactivity following an interruption

delay (verb)	stay (verb)
cause to be slowed down or delayed	stay the same; remain in a certain state
stop or halt	stop or halt
slow the growth or development of	overcome or allay
act later than planned, scheduled, or required	fasten with stays
	be in a certain place and not leave
	stop a judicial process
	dwell
	continue in a place, position, or situation
	hang on during a trial of endurance