Stick vs. Staff — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 22, 2024
Stick is typically a thin piece of wood naturally found, used for walking or crafting; staff is a longer, thicker pole often used for support, ceremonial purposes, or in martial arts.
Difference Between Stick and Staff
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A stick is generally a small, thin branch or piece of wood that has fallen from a tree or has been cut off. It is often found on the ground in natural settings like forests. While, a staff refers to a larger, more robust pole, which is often specifically crafted and used for a variety of purposes including support for walking, as a symbol of authority, or in different fighting styles.
In everyday language, the term "stick" can refer to any small piece of wood, and is commonly associated with impromptu uses such as poking an object, crafting, or even as kindling for a fire. Whereas, "staff" carries a more formal or functional connotation, often being tailored to specific activities like hiking, or ceremonial roles, evident in religious and mystical traditions.
Sticks are usually free-form and irregular, often just picked up as found in nature, and their uses can be as transient as the material itself. On the other hand, staffs are typically fashioned with a particular purpose in mind, whether it's for practical use in hiking or symbolic use in various ceremonies, and are often designed to be both durable and aesthetically pleasing.
The cultural significance of a stick is relatively minimal, often seen as a disposable tool or plaything. Conversely, a staff can hold considerable symbolic weight, representing authority or spiritual power in various cultural contexts, such as in tribal societies or within ecclesiastical settings.
While anyone can pick up a stick and use it for an immediate need, owning a staff may require a specific intention or significant investment, as they are often made from quality materials and might be adorned or intricately carved.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Material
Natural wood, often unrefined
Often wood, can be metal or other materials
Length
Usually short and easily handled
Longer, often over five feet
Thickness
Thin, easily breakable
Thicker, sturdy
Usage
Temporary tasks, crafting, kindling
Support, ceremonial, martial arts
Cultural Significance
Minimal, often seen as disposable
High, symbol of authority or spiritual aid
Compare with Definitions
Stick
A small, thin piece of wood from a tree.
He picked up a stick to throw for his dog.
Staff
Symbolic item used in religious or ceremonial contexts.
The priest carried a staff during the procession.
Stick
A tool used to support walking or to poke objects.
She used a stick to check the depth of the water.
Staff
A long stick used for walking, especially by hikers.
The hiker leaned on his staff as he climbed the steep trail.
Stick
A piece of furniture or equipment, like a hockey stick.
He grabbed his stick for the hockey game tonight.
Staff
An object of power and authority in many cultures.
The wizard carried a staff topped with a crystal.
Stick
A metaphor for thinness or fragility.
After his illness, he was thin as a stick.
Staff
A rod or pole used as a part of a flag.
The national flag was hoisted on a tall staff.
Stick
An informal baton used in relay races.
He handed off the stick to the next runner.
Staff
A tool for physical support or martial arts.
Martial artists use a staff in various forms of combat.
Stick
A branch or stem that has fallen or been cut from a tree or shrub.
Staff
Serve on the staff of;
The two men staff the reception desk
Stick
A piece of wood, such as a tree branch, that is used for fuel, cut for lumber, or shaped for a specific purpose.
Staff
A stick or cane carried as an aid in walking or climbing.
Stick
A wand, staff, baton, or rod.
Staff
A stout stick used as a weapon; a cudgel.
Stick
(Sports) A long thin implement with a blade or net on the end used to propel and control a puck or ball in hockey or lacrosse.
Staff
A pole on which a flag is displayed; a flagstaff.
Stick
A walking stick; a cane.
Staff
A rod or baton carried as a symbol of authority.
Stick
Something that is long and thin
A stick of dynamite.
A stick of gum.
Staff
Pl. staffs A rule or similar graduated stick used for testing or measuring, as in surveying.
Stick
(Slang) A marijuana cigarette.
Staff
A group of assistants to a manager, executive, or other person in authority.
Stick
The control device of an aircraft that operates the elevators and ailerons.
Staff
A group of military officers assigned to assist a commanding officer in an executive or advisory capacity.
Stick
(Informal) A stick shift.
Staff
The personnel who carry out a specific enterprise
The nursing staff of a hospital.
Stick
(Nautical) A mast or a part of a mast.
Staff
Something that serves as a staple or support.
Stick
A group of bombs released to fall across an enemy target in a straight row.
Staff
(Music) A set of horizontal lines and intermediate spaces used in notation to represent a sequence of pitches, in modern notation normally consisting of five lines and four spaces. Also called stave.
Stick
(Slang) A group of paratroopers exiting an aircraft in succession.
Staff
A building material of plaster and fiber used as an exterior wall covering of temporary buildings, as at expositions.
Stick
A timber tree.
Staff
To provide with a staff of workers or assistants.
Stick
(Informal) A piece of furniture.
Staff
To serve on the staff of (an organization).
Stick
A poke, thrust, or stab with a stick or similar object
A stick in the ribs.
Staff
A long, straight, thick wooden rod or stick, especially one used to assist in walking.
Stick
A threatened penalty
Using both a carrot and a stick to keep allies in line.
Staff
A series of horizontal lines on which musical notes are written; a stave.
Stick
The condition or power of adhering
A glue with plenty of stick.
Staff
The employees of a business.
The company employed 10 new members of staff this month.
The company has taken on 1600 more highly-paid staff.
Stick
A remote area; backwoods
Moved to the sticks.
Staff
(uncountable) A mixture of plaster and fibre used as a temporary exterior wall covering.W
Stick
A city or town regarded as dull or unsophisticated.
Staff
A pole, stick, or wand borne as an ensign of authority; a badge of office.
A constable's staff
Stick
(Informal) A person regarded as stiff, boring, or spiritless.
Staff
A pole upon which a flag is supported and displayed.
Stick
(Obsolete) A difficulty or obstacle; a delay.
Staff
(archaic) The rung of a ladder.
Stick
To pierce, puncture, or penetrate with a pointed instrument
Stick a fingertip with a pin.
Staff
A series of verses so disposed that, when it is concluded, the same order begins again; a stanza; a stave.
Stick
To kill by piercing
Stick a pig.
Staff
(engineering) An arbor, as of a wheel or a pinion of a watch.
Stick
To thrust or push (a pointed instrument) into or through another object
Stuck a fork into the turkey.
Staff
(surgery) The grooved director for the gorget, or knife, used in cutting for stone in the bladder.
Stick
To jab or poke (a pointed or narrow instrument) into or against
The robber stuck a pistol in my ribs.
Staff
(military) An establishment of officers in various departments attached to an army, to a section of an army, or to the commander of an army. The general's staff consists of those officers about his person who are employed in carrying his commands into execution.
Stick
To place or position by pushing or thrusting
Stick candles on the cake.
Stick a flower through a buttonhole.
Staff
A form of token once used, in combination with a ticket, for safe train movements between two points on a single line.
Stick
To fix, impale, or transfix on a pointed object
Stick an olive on a toothpick.
Staff
(transitive) To supply (a business, volunteer organization, etc.) with employees or staff members.
Stick
To cover or decorate with objects piercing the surface
Stick a map with pins.
Staff
A long piece of wood; a stick; the long handle of an instrument or weapon; a pole or stick, used for many purposes; as, a surveyor's staff; the staff of a spear or pike.
And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar to bear it withal.
With forks and staves the felon to pursue.
Stick
To fasten into place by forcing an end or point into something
Stick a tack on the wall.
Staff
A stick carried in the hand for support or defense by a person walking; hence, a support; that which props or upholds.
The boy was the very staff of my age.
He spoke of it [beer] in "The Earnest Cry," and likewise in the "Scotch Drink," as one of the staffs of life which had been struck from the poor man's hand.
Stick
To fasten or attach with pins, nails, or similar devices
Stuck the announcement on the bulletin board.
Staff
A pole, stick, or wand borne as an ensign of authority; a badge of office; as, a constable's staff.
Methought this staff, mine office badge in court,Was broke in twain.
All his officers brake their staves; but at their return new staves were delivered unto them.
Stick
To fasten or attach with an adhesive material, such as glue or tape.
Staff
A pole upon which a flag is supported and displayed.
Stick
(Sports) To execute (a landing or dismount) in gymnastics so that the feet do not move after they hit the ground.
Staff
The round of a ladder.
I ascended at one [ladder] of six hundred and thirty-nine staves.
Stick
To detain or delay
We were stuck at the airport overnight.
Staff
A series of verses so disposed that, when it is concluded, the same order begins again; a stanza; a stave.
Cowley found out that no kind of staff is proper for an heroic poem, as being all too lyrical.
Stick
(Informal) To confuse, baffle, or puzzle
I started doing the math problems, but I got stuck.
Staff
The five lines and the spaces on which music is written; - formerly called stave.
Stick
Past tense and past participle sticked (stĭkt) To prop (a plant) with sticks or brush on which to grow.
Staff
An arbor, as of a wheel or a pinion of a watch.
Stick
Past tense and past participle sticked Printing To set (type) in a composing stick.
Staff
The grooved director for the gorget, or knife, used in cutting for stone in the bladder.
Stick
To cover or smear with something sticky.
Staff
An establishment of officers in various departments attached to an army, to a section of an army, or to the commander of an army. The general's staff consists of those officers about his person who are employed in carrying his commands into execution. See État Major.
Stick
(Informal) To put blame or responsibility on; burden
Stuck me with the bill.
Staff
Hence: A body of assistants serving to carry into effect the plans of a superintendent or manager; sometimes used for the entire group of employees of an enterprise, excluding the top management; as, the staff of a newspaper.
Stick
(Slang) To defraud or cheat
The dealer stuck me with shoddy merchandise.
Staff
Plaster combined with fibrous and other materials so as to be suitable for sculpture in relief or in the round, or for forming flat plates or boards of considerable size which can be nailed to framework to make the exterior of a larger structure, forming joints which may afterward be repaired and concealed with fresh plaster.
Stick
To be or become fixed or embedded in place by having the point thrust in
The spear stuck in the shield.
Staff
Personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task;
The hospital has an excellent nursing staff
The general relied on his staff to make routine decisions
Stick
To become or remain attached or in close association; cling
Stick together in a crowd.
Staff
The body of teachers and administrators at a school;
The dean addressed the letter to the entire staff of the university
Stick
To remain firm, determined, or resolute
Stuck to basic principles.
Staff
A strong rod or stick with a specialized utilitarian purpose;
He walked with the help of a wooden staff
Stick
To remain loyal or faithful
Stuck by her through hard times.
Staff
Building material consisting of plaster and hair; used to cover external surfaces of temporary structure (as at an exposition) or for decoration
Stick
To persist or endure
A bad name that has stuck.
Staff
A rod carried as a symbol
Stick
To scruple or hesitate
She sticks at nothing—no matter how difficult.
Staff
(music) the system of five horizontal lines on which the musical notes are written
Stick
To become fixed, blocked, checked, or obstructed
The drawer stuck and would not open.
Staff
Provide with staff;
This position is not always staffed
Stick
To project or protrude
Hair sticking out on his head.
Stick
(Sports) To throw a jab in boxing.
Stick
An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.
Stick
A small, thin branch from a tree or bush; a twig; a branch.
The beaver's dam was made out of sticks.
Stick
A relatively long, thin piece of wood, of any size.
I found several good sticks in the brush heap.
What do you call a boomerang that won't come back? A stick.
Stick
(US) A timber board, especially a two by four (inches).
I found enough sticks in dumpsters at construction sites to build my shed.
Stick
A cane or walking stick (usually wooden, metal or plastic) to aid in walking.
I don’t need my stick to walk, but it’s helpful.
Stick
A cudgel or truncheon (usually of wood, metal or plastic), especially one carried by police or guards.
As soon as the fight started, the guards came in swinging their sticks.
Stick
(carpentry) The vertical member of a cope-and-stick joint.
Stick
(nautical) A mast or part of a mast of a ship; also, a yard.
Stick
(figuratively) A piece (of furniture, especially if wooden).
We were so poor we didn't have one stick of furniture.
Stick
Any roughly cylindrical (or rectangular) unit of a substance.
Sealing wax is available as a cylindrical or rectangular stick.
Stick
A small rectangular block, with a length several times its width, which contains by volume one half of a cup of shortening (butter, margarine or lard).
The recipe calls for half a stick of butter.
Stick
A standard rectangular strip of chewing gum.
Don’t hog all that gum, give me a stick!
Stick
(slang) A cigarette usually a tobacco cigarette, less often a marijuana cigarette.
Cigarettes are taxed at one dollar per stick.
Stick
Material or objects attached to a stick or the like.
Stick
A bunch of something wrapped around or attached to a stick.
My parents bought us each a stick of cotton candy.
Stick
(archaic) A scroll that is rolled around (mounted on, attached to) a stick.
Stick
(military) The structure to which a set of bombs in a bomber aircraft are attached and which drops the bombs when it is released. The bombs themselves and, by extension, any load of similar items dropped in quick succession such as paratroopers or containers.
Stick
A tool, control, or instrument shaped somewhat like a stick.
Stick
A manual transmission, a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, so called because of the stick-like, i.e. twig-like, control (the gear shift) with which the driver of such a vehicle controls its transmission.
I grew up driving a stick, but many people my age didn’t.
Stick
(aviation) The control column of an aircraft; a joystick. By convention, a wheel-like control mechanism with a handgrip on opposite sides, similar to the steering wheel of an automobile, can also be called the "stick", although "yoke" or "control wheel" is more commonly seen.
Stick
Use of the stick to control the aircraft.
Stick
(computing) A memory stick.
Stick
A composing stick, the tool used by compositors to assemble lines of type.
Stick
The clarinet.
Stick
(sports) A stick-like item:
Stick
A long thin implement used to control a ball or puck in sports like hockey, polo, and lacrosse.
Tripping with the stick is a violation of the rules.
Stick
(horse racing) The short whip carried by a jockey.
Stick
(boardsports) A board as used in board sports, such as a surfboard, snowboard, or skateboard.
Stick
(golf) The pole bearing a small flag that marks the hole.
His wedge shot bounced off the stick and went in the hole.
Stick
The cue used in billiards, pool, snooker, etc.
His stroke with that two-piece stick is a good as anybody's in the club.
Stick
Ability; specifically:
Stick
(golf) The long-range driving ability of a golf club.
Stick
(baseball) The potential hitting power of a specific bat.
Stick
(baseball) General hitting ability.
Stick
(hockey) The potential accuracy of a hockey stick, implicating also the player using it.
Stick
A person or group of people. (Perhaps, in some senses, because people are, broadly speaking, tall and thin, like pieces of wood.)
Stick
A thin or wiry person; particularly a flat-chested woman.
Stick
(magic) An assistant planted in the audience.
Stick
(gambling) A shill or house player.
Stick
A stiff, stupidly obstinate person.
Stick
A fighter pilot.
Stick
A small group of (infantry) soldiers.
Stick
Encouragement or punishment, or (resulting) vigour or other improved behavior.
Stick
A negative stimulus or a punishment. (This sense derives from the metaphor of using a stick, a long piece of wood, to poke or beat a beast of burden to compel it to move forward. Compare carrot.)
Stick
Corporal punishment; beatings.
Stick
(slang) Vigor; spirit; effort, energy, intensity.
Give it some stick!
Stick
(slang) Vigorous driving of a car; gas.
Stick
A measure.
Stick
(obsolete) An English Imperial unit of length equal to 2 inches.
Stick
A quantity of eels, usually 25.
Stick
(motor racing) The traction of tires on the road surface.
Stick
(fishing) The amount of fishing line resting on the water surface before a cast; line stick.
Stick
A thrust with a pointed instrument; a stab.
Stick
Criticism or ridicule.
Stick
(carpentry) To cut a piece of wood to be the stick member of a cope-and-stick joint.
Stick
To compose; to set, or arrange, in a composing stick.
To stick type
Stick
(transitive) To furnish or set with sticks.
Stick
(intransitive) To become or remain attached; to adhere.
The tape will not stick if it melts.
Stick
(intransitive) To jam; to stop moving.
The lever sticks if you push it too far up.
Stick
(transitive) To tolerate, to endure, to stick with.
Stick
(intransitive) To persist.
His old nickname stuck.
Stick
(intransitive) Of snow, to remain frozen on landing.
Stick
(intransitive) To remain loyal; to remain firm.
Just stick to your strategy, and you will win.
Stick
To hesitate, to be reluctant; to refuse (in negative phrases).
Stick
To be puzzled (at something), have difficulty understanding.
Stick
To cause difficulties, scruples, or hesitation.
Stick
(transitive) To attach with glue or as if by gluing.
Stick the label on the jar.
Stick
(transitive) To place, set down (quickly or carelessly).
Stick your bag over there and come with me.
Stick
(transitive) To press (something with a sharp point) into something else.
The balloon will pop when I stick this pin in it.
To stick a needle into one's finger
Stick
To stab.
Stick
(transitive) To fix on a pointed instrument; to impale.
To stick an apple on a fork
Stick
To adorn or deck with things fastened on as by piercing.
Stick
To perform (a landing) perfectly.
Once again, the world champion sticks the dismount.
Stick
To propagate plants by cuttings.
Stick cuttings from geraniums promptly.
Stick
To run or plane (mouldings) in a machine, in contradistinction to working them by hand. Such mouldings are said to be stuck.
Stick
To bring to a halt; to stymie; to puzzle.
To stick somebody with a hard problem
Stick
To impose upon; to compel to pay; sometimes, to cheat.
Stick
To stand pat: to cease taking any more cards and finalize one's hand.
Stick
(informal) Likely to stick; sticking, sticky.
A non-stick pan. A stick plaster.
A sticker type of glue. The stickest kind of gum.
Stick
A small shoot, or branch, separated, as by a cutting, from a tree or shrub; also, any stem or branch of a tree, of any size, cut for fuel or timber.
Withered sticks to gather, which might serveAgainst a winter's day.
Stick
Any long and comparatively slender piece of wood, whether in natural form or shaped with tools; a rod; a wand; a staff; as, the stick of a rocket; a walking stick.
Stick
Anything shaped like a stick; as, a stick of wax.
Stick
A derogatory expression for a person; one who is inert or stupid; as, an odd stick; a poor stick.
Stick
A composing stick. See under Composing. It is usually a frame of metal, but for posters, handbills, etc., one made of wood is used.
Stick
A thrust with a pointed instrument; a stab.
Stick
To penetrate with a pointed instrument; to pierce; to stab; hence, to kill by piercing; as, to stick a beast.
And sticked him with bodkins anon.
It was a shame . . . to stick him under the other gentleman's arm while he was redding the fray.
Stick
To cause to penetrate; to push, thrust, or drive, so as to pierce; as, to stick a needle into one's finger.
Thou stickest a dagger in me.
Stick
To fasten, attach, or cause to remain, by thrusting in; hence, also, to adorn or deck with things fastened on as by piercing; as, to stick a pin on the sleeve.
My shroud of white, stuck all with yew.
The points of spears are stuck within the shield.
Stick
To set; to fix in; as, to stick card teeth.
Stick
To set with something pointed; as, to stick cards.
Stick
To fix on a pointed instrument; to impale; as, to stick an apple on a fork.
Stick
To attach by causing to adhere to the surface; as, to stick on a plaster; to stick a stamp on an envelope; also, to attach in any manner.
Stick
To compose; to set, or arrange, in a composing stick; as, to stick type.
Stick
To run or plane (moldings) in a machine, in contradistinction to working them by hand. Such moldings are said to be stuck.
Stick
To cause to stick; to bring to a stand; to pose; to puzzle; as, to stick one with a hard problem.
Stick
To impose upon; to compel to pay; sometimes, to cheat.
Stick
To adhere; as, glue sticks to the fingers; paste sticks to the wall.
The green caterpillar breedeth in the inward parts of roses not blown, where the dew sticketh.
Stick
To be prevented from going farther; to stop by reason of some obstacle; to be stayed.
I had most need of blessing, and "Amen"Stuck in my throat.
The trembling weapon passedThrough nine bull hides, . . . and stuck within the last.
Stick
To be embarrassed or puzzled; to hesitate; to be deterred, as by scruples; to scruple; - often with at.
They will stick long at part of a demonstration for want of perceiving the connection of two ideas.
Some stick not to say, that the parson and attorney forged a will.
Stick
To cause difficulties, scruples, or hesitation.
This is the difficulty that sticks with the most reasonable.
Stick
Implement consisting of a length of wood;
He collected dry sticks for a campfire
The kid had a candied apple on a stick
Stick
A small thin branch of a tree
Stick
A lever used by a pilot to control the ailerons and elevators of an airplane
Stick
Informal terms of the leg;
Fever left him weak on his sticks
Stick
Marijuana leaves rolled into a cigarette for smoking
Stick
Threat of a penalty;
The policy so far is all stick and no carrot
Stick
Fix, force, or implant;
Lodge a bullet in the table
Stick
Stay put (in a certain place);
We are staying in Detroit; we are not moving to Cincinnati
Stay put in the corner here!
Stick around and you will learn something!
Stick
Cause to protrude or as if to protrude;
Stick one's hand out of the window
Stick one's nose into other people's business
Stick
Stick to firmly;
Will this wallpaper adhere to the wall?
Stick
Be or become fixed;
The door sticks--we will have to plane it
Stick
Endure;
The label stuck to her for the rest of her life
Stick
Be a devoted follower or supporter;
The residents of this village adhered to Catholicism
She sticks to her principles
Stick
Be loyal to;
She stood by her husband in times of trouble
The friends stuck together through the war
Stick
Cover and decorate with objects that pierce the surface;
Stick some feathers in the turkey before you serve it
Stick
Fasten with an adhesive material like glue;
Stick the poster onto the wall
Stick
Fasten with or as with pins or nails;
Stick the photo onto the corkboard
Stick
Fasten into place by fixing an end or point into something;
Stick the corner of the sheet under the mattress
Stick
Pierce with a thrust using a pointed instrument;
He stuck the cloth with the needle
Stick
Pierce or penetrate or puncture with something pointed;
He stuck the needle into his finger
Stick
Come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation;
The dress clings to her body
The label stuck to the box
The sushi rice grains cohere
Stick
Saddle with something disagreeable or disadvantageous;
They stuck me with the dinner bill
I was stung with a huge tax bill
Stick
Be a mystery or bewildering to;
This beats me!
Got me--I don't know the answer!
A vexing problem
This question really stuck me
Common Curiosities
How is a staff different in appearance from a stick?
A staff is usually longer, thicker, and more deliberately shaped than a stick.
Is a staff always made of wood?
No, staffs can also be made of metal, plastic, or other durable materials.
What is the typical size of a stick?
A stick is generally small and thin, easily held in one hand.
Can a stick be used as a weapon?
While not ideal, sticks can be used for self-defense in a pinch.
Do sticks have cultural significance?
Generally, sticks do not carry much cultural weight and are seen as utilitarian.
Are there legal restrictions on carrying a staff?
In some places, carrying a large staff may be restricted, especially in urban settings.
What kind of maintenance does a staff require?
Staffs made of wood may need regular oiling and care to prevent splintering.
What are the typical uses of a staff?
A staff is used for support while walking, in martial arts, or as a ceremonial symbol.
What is the cost difference between a stick and a staff?
Sticks are usually free as they are natural and found, whereas staffs can be costly depending on the material and craftsmanship.
How do children typically use sticks?
Children often use sticks for play, such as sword-fighting games or drawing in the dirt.
What should I look for when choosing a staff for hiking?
Look for durability, appropriate height and grip, and overall comfort.
Why might someone use a staff instead of a stick for hiking?
A staff, being sturdier and longer, offers better support and balance.
Can anyone use a staff?
Yes, anyone can use a staff, though some uses might require specific skills or strengths.
Can sticks be considered eco-friendly?
Yes, as they are natural and biodegradable, sticks are eco-friendly.
How long can a wooden staff last?
With proper care, a wooden staff can last many years, even decades.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Shower vs. Bath
Next Comparison
Shlep vs. SchlepAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
