adj

still

STIHL

adj

Not moving; calm and motionless.

"The lake was perfectly still at dawn."

Continuing to be the case up to now, often unexpectedly.

"She is still awake at midnight, finishing the report."

noun

Apparatus used to distill liquids, especially alcoholic spirits.

"The old farmhouse had a copper still hidden in the barn."

A single photograph, especially one taken from a film.

"The magazine printed a still from the movie's final scene."

verb

To make calm or quiet.

"A cup of tea helped still her nerves before the interview."

How to Use Still

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDepending on context: not moving, continuing as before, a distilling device, or a single photo frame.

Common mistake

As an adverb meaning "up to now" or "nevertheless", "still" usually goes before the main verb: "I still don't understand", not "I don't still understand".

Common pairings

sit still still waters still standing

Word Forms

stiller comparative, more still comparative, stilled past tense, stilled past tense, stills plural, stills plural, stills singular, stills singular, stillest superlative, most still superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The lake was perfectly _____ at dawn.

Etymology

From Old English stille ("motionless, quiet"), from a very old Indo-European root meaning "to be silent or still" — related to "stall".

Rhymes for still

ill kill mill sill bill will till hill fill Jill dill gill

See all rhymes for still →