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Stall vs. Tall: What's the Difference?

Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 6, 2023
"Stall" refers to a stand or booth or to delay, while "Tall" describes something of greater height. Both are unrelated in meaning.

Key Differences

1. "Stall" and "Tall" are two distinct words with very different meanings. While "Stall" can refer to a booth or stand, often in a market setting, or the act of delaying, "Tall" is an adjective used to describe something with a greater than average height or extent.
2. Considering "Stall," it can depict a tangible structure, such as where vendors sell their goods, or it can represent an intangible action, such as stalling for time. On the other hand, "Tall" is primarily an adjective, providing a descriptor for the height or stature of entities, whether they're living beings or inanimate objects.
3. Even in pronunciation, "Stall" and "Tall" differ, given the initial "St-" sound of the former. Yet, both have the common "all" sound at the end. Nevertheless, beyond this phonetic similarity, their meanings diverge significantly.
4. In various contexts, "Stall" can suggest a deliberate pause or delay, or even a mechanical failure. In contrast, "Tall" remains consistent in its portrayal of height, whether one is talking about a tall person, a tall tale (meaning an exaggerated story), or a tall building.
5. In sum, while "Stall" navigates between tangible stands and intangible delays, "Tall" is a straightforward descriptor of height or extent.
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Comparison Chart

Part of Speech

Noun or Verb
Adjective

Primary Meaning

A booth or stand; to delay
Having greater height

Phonetic Similarity

Starts with "St-"
Starts with "T-"

Usage in Context

Can describe a structure or an action
Primarily describes height or extent

Secondary Meanings

Mechanical failure; a tactic to waste time
An exaggerated story (e.g., a tall tale)
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Stall and Tall Definitions

Stall

A stand, booth, or compartment for the sale of goods in a market.
She sells handmade jewelry at her stall in the flea market.

Tall

Exaggerated or unbelievable (as in a story or claim).
It sounds like a tall tale, but it's true.

Stall

A situation in which an engine or vehicle stops because it lacks power.
The car went into a stall after running out of gas.

Tall

Of a specified height.
The building is ten stories tall.

Stall

A compartment for one domestic animal in a barn or shed.

Tall

Rising to a specific height.
The tree grew tall, reaching the clouds.

Stall

A booth, cubicle, or stand used by a vendor, as at a market.

Tall

Ambitious or difficult to believe.
That's a tall order to fulfill in such a short time.

Stall

A small compartment
A shower stall.

Tall

Having greater than ordinary height
A tall woman.

Stall

An enclosed seat in the chancel of a church.

Tall

Having considerable height, especially in relation to width; lofty
Tall trees.

Stall

A pew in a church.

Tall

Having a specified height
A plant three feet tall.

Stall

Chiefly British A seat in the front part of a theater.

Tall

(Informal) Fanciful or exaggerated; boastful
Tall tales of heroic exploits.

Stall

A space marked off, as in a garage, for parking a motor vehicle.

Tall

Impressively great or difficult
A tall order to fill.

Stall

A protective sheath for a finger or toe.

Tall

(Obsolete) Excellent; fine.

Stall

The sudden, unintended loss of power or effectiveness in an engine.

Tall

With proud bearing; straight
Stand tall.

Stall

A condition in which an aircraft or airfoil experiences an interruption of airflow resulting in loss of lift and a tendency to drop.

Tall

(of a person) Having a vertical extent greater than the average. For example, somebody with a height of over 6 feet would generally be considered to be tall.
Being tall is an advantage in basketball.

Stall

A ruse or tactic used to mislead or delay.

Tall

(of a building, etc.) Having its top a long way up; having a great vertical (and often greater than horizontal) extent; high.

Stall

To put or lodge in a stall.

Tall

(of a story) Hard to believe, such as a tall story or a tall tale.

Stall

To maintain in a stall for fattening
To stall cattle.

Tall

Smaller than grande, usually 8 ounces (~ 230 ml).

Stall

To halt the motion or progress of; bring to a standstill.

Tall

(obsolete) Obsequious; obedient.

Stall

To cause (a motor or motor vehicle) accidentally to stop running.

Tall

(obsolete) Seemly; suitable; fitting, becoming, comely; attractive, handsome.

Stall

To cause (an aircraft) to go into a stall.

Tall

(obsolete) Bold; brave; courageous; valiant.

Stall

To live or be lodged in a stall. Used of an animal.

Tall

(archaic) Fine; proper; admirable; great; excellent.

Stall

To stick fast in mud or snow.

Tall

Someone or something that is tall.

Stall

To come to a standstill
Negotiations stalled.

Tall

A clothing size for taller people.
Do you have this in a tall?

Stall

To stop running as a result of mechanical failure
The car stalled on the freeway.

Tall

A tall serving of a drink, especially one from Starbucks, which contains 12 ounces.

Stall

To lose forward flying speed, causing a stall. Used of an aircraft.

Tall

High in stature; having a considerable, or an unusual, extension upward; long and comparatively slender; having the diameter or lateral extent small in proportion to the height; as, a tall person, tree, or mast.
Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall.

Stall

To employ delaying tactics against
Stall off creditors.

Tall

Brave; bold; courageous.
As tall a trenchermanAs e'er demolished a pye fortification.
His companions, being almost in despair of victory, were suddenly recomforted by Sir William Stanley, which came to succors with three thousand tall men.

Stall

To employ delaying tactics
Stalling for time.

Tall

Fine; splendid; excellent; also, extravagant; excessive.

Stall

(countable) A compartment for a single animal in a stable or cattle shed.

Tall

Great in vertical dimension; high in stature;
Tall people
Tall buildings
Tall trees
Tall ships

Stall

A stable; a place for cattle.

Tall

Lofty in style;
He engages in so much tall talk, one never really realizes what he is saying

Stall

A bench or table on which small articles of merchandise are exposed for sale.

Tall

Impressively difficult;
A tall order

Stall

(countable) A small open-fronted shop, for example in a market, food court, etc.

Tall

Too improbable to admit of belief;
A tall story

Stall

A very small room used for a shower or a toilet.

Tall

Having a greater than average height.
She was tall and slender, towering over her peers.

Stall

(countable) A seat in a theatre close to and (about) level with the stage; traditionally, a seat with arms, or otherwise partly enclosed, as distinguished from the benches, sofas, etc.

Stall

(Germanic paganism) An Heathen altar, typically an indoor one, as contrasted with a more substantial outdoor harrow.

Stall

A seat in a church, especially one next to the chancel or choir, reserved for church officials and dignitaries.

Stall

A church office that entitles the incumbent to the use of a church stall.

Stall

A sheath to protect the finger.

Stall

(mining) The space left by excavation between pillars.

Stall

(Canadian) A parking stall; a space for a vehicle in a parking lot or parkade.

Stall

An action that is intended to cause, or actually causes, delay.
His encounters with security, reception, the secretary, and the assistant were all stalls until the general manager's attorney arrived.

Stall

(aeronautics) Loss of lift due to an airfoil's critical angle of attack being exceeded, normally occurring due to low airspeed.

Stall

(transitive) To put (an animal, etc.) in a stall.
To stall an ox

Stall

To fatten.
To stall cattle

Stall

(obsolete) To live in, or as if in, a stall; to dwell.

Stall

To place in an office with the customary formalities; to install.

Stall

To forestall; to anticipate.

Stall

To keep close; to keep secret.

Stall

(transitive) To employ delaying tactics against.
He stalled the creditors as long as he could.

Stall

(intransitive) To employ delaying tactics; to stall for time.
Soon it became clear that she was stalling to give him time to get away.

Stall

(intransitive) To come to a standstill.

Stall

(transitive) To cause to stop making progress; to hinder; to slow down; to delay or forestall.

Stall

To exceed the critical angle of attack, resulting in loss of lift.

Stall

To cause to exceed the critical angle of attack, resulting in loss of lift.
The pilot stalled the plane by pulling the nose up too high at a slow airspeed.

Stall

To plunge into mire or snow so as not to be able to get on; to set; to fix.
To stall a cart

Stall

To stop suddenly.

Stall

To cause the engine of a manual-transmission car or truck to stop by going too slowly for the selected gear.

Stall

(obsolete) To be stuck, as in mire or snow; to stick fast.

Stall

(obsolete) To be tired of eating, as cattle.

Stall

A stand; a station; a fixed spot; hence, the stand or place where a horse or an ox is kept and fed; the division of a stable, or the compartment, for one horse, ox, or other animal.

Stall

A stable; a place for cattle.
At last he found a stall where oxen stood.

Stall

A small apartment or shed in which merchandise is exposed for sale; as, a butcher's stall; a bookstall.

Stall

A bench or table on which small articles of merchandise are exposed for sale.
How peddlers' stalls with glittering toys are laid.

Stall

A seat in the choir of a church, for one of the officiating clergy. It is inclosed, either wholly or partially, at the back and sides. The stalls are frequently very rich, with canopies and elaborate carving.
The dignified clergy, out of humility, have called their thrones by the names of stalls.
Loud the monks sang in their stalls.

Stall

In the theater, a seat with arms or otherwise partly inclosed, as distinguished from the benches, sofas, etc.

Stall

The space left by excavation between pillars. See Post and stall, under Post.

Stall

A covering or sheath, as of leather, horn, of iron, for a finger or thumb; a cot; as, a thumb stall; a finger stall.
Cries the stall reader, "Bless us! what a word onA titlepage is this!"

Stall

To put into a stall or stable; to keep in a stall or stalls; as, to stall an ox.
Where King Latinus then his oxen stalled.

Stall

To fatten; as, to stall cattle.

Stall

To place in an office with the customary formalities; to install.

Stall

To plunge into mire or snow so as not to be able to get on; to set; to fix; as, to stall a cart.
His horses had been stalled in the snow.

Stall

To forestall; to anticipate.
This is not to be stall'd by my report.

Stall

To keep close; to keep secret.
Stall this in your bosom.

Stall

To live in, or as in, a stall; to dwell.
We could not stall togetherIn the whole world.

Stall

To kennel, as dogs.

Stall

To be set, as in mire or snow; to stick fast.

Stall

To be tired of eating, as cattle.

Stall

A compartment in a stable where a single animal is confined and fed

Stall

Small area set off by walls for special use

Stall

A booth where articles are displayed for sale

Stall

A malfunction in the flight of an aircraft in which there is a sudden loss of lift that results in a downward plunge;
The plane went into a stall and I couldn't control it

Stall

Small individual study area in a library

Stall

A tactic used to mislead or delay

Stall

Postpone doing what one should be doing;
He did not want to write the letter and procrastinated for days

Stall

Come to a stop;
The car stalled in the driveway

Stall

Deliberately delay an event or action;
She doesn't want to write the report, so she is stalling

Stall

Put into, or keep in, a stall;
Stall the horse

Stall

Experience a stall in flight, of airplanes

Stall

Cause an airplane to go into a stall

Stall

Cause an engine to stop;
The inexperienced driver kept stalling the car

Stall

An action meant to delay something.
He tried to stall the meeting by asking endless questions.

Stall

A place for the keeping of animals.
The horse was restless in its stall.

Stall

To stop running, typically because of an obstacle.
The project stalled due to lack of funding.

FAQs

Can "Stall" refer to a place in a bathroom?

Yes, a stall can refer to a partitioned section in a bathroom.

Is "Tall" used to describe width?

No, "Tall" refers to height, not width.

Can "Stall" mean a vehicle's engine stopping?

Yes, when a vehicle's engine stops suddenly, it's said to "stall."

Can "Stall" mean to delay on purpose?

Yes, to "stall" can mean to delay or dawdle intentionally.

Is a market booth a "Stall"?

Yes, a booth in a market where goods are sold is often called a stall.

Is "Tall" subjective?

Yes, what is considered "tall" can vary based on cultural and individual perceptions.

Can "Tall" refer to an exaggerated story?

Yes, an exaggerated or unlikely story is sometimes called a "tall tale."

Does "Tall" only describe people?

No, "Tall" can describe anything with height, like buildings, trees, etc.

If someone is taller than average, are they "Tall"?

Yes, someone with a height greater than average is described as "tall."

Can "Stall" refer to a tactic in sports?

Yes, in sports, players might "stall" to waste time.

Can "Tall" refer to depth?

No, "Tall" primarily pertains to height, not depth.

Is a "Tall" glass larger in volume?

Not necessarily. "Tall" refers to height; volume would also depend on width.

Is a "Stall" always a physical structure?

No, "stall" can also refer to a delay or a situation where progress stops.

Can "Stall" be used in aviation terms?

Yes, in aviation, a "stall" refers to a sudden reduction in the lift of an aircraft.

If a car engine stops suddenly, did it "Stall"?

Yes
About Author
Written by
Janet White
Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon Moss
Harlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.

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