stationary
13 synonyms and 1 antonyms for stationary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not moving; staying in one place.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin stationarius, related to "station," a fixed place.
Full origin of stationary →Frequently asked questions
What does “stationary” mean?
The word “stationary” means not moving; staying in one place. In plain terms, not moving; staying still.
How do you pronounce “stationary”?
“Stationary” is pronounced STAYSHN-ree (/ˈsteɪʃəˌnɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “stationary” in a sentence?
Here is “stationary” used in a sentence: “The car remained stationary at the red light.”
What is another word for “stationary”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stationary” include at rest, dull, inanimate, impassive, lifeless and motionless.
What is the opposite of “stationary”?
The opposite of “stationary” — its antonyms — is in motion.
What part of speech is “stationary”?
“Stationary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “stationary” come from?
The word “stationary” comes from Latin. From Latin stationarius, related to "station," a fixed place.
Is “stationary” a common word?
“Stationary” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between stationary and stationery?
Stationary means not moving or staying in one place, while stationery refers to writing materials such as paper and envelopes; the two words are pronounced identically but spelled differently and have entirely unrelated meanings. Remembering that stationery contains er like letter can help distinguish the writing-supplies sense.
What is a common mistake people make with the word stationary?
The most common mistake is confusing stationary, meaning not moving, with stationery, meaning writing paper and related supplies, since they sound exactly alike. Careful writers double-check which spelling matches their intended meaning before publishing.
What is an example of something described as stationary?
A stationary object is one that stays in one place without moving, such as a stationary bike used for indoor exercise, which pedals in place rather than traveling anywhere.