standstill
STAND-stihl
Standstill (noun) means a complete stop; a state where nothing is moving or progressing. Example: “Traffic came to a standstill after the accident.”
noun
1
A complete stop; a state where nothing is moving or progressing.
"Traffic came to a standstill after the accident."
"Talks reached a standstill when both sides refused to compromise."
How to use standstill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA total halt, whether of traffic, talks, or any kind of progress.
Common pairings
come to a standstill
grind to a standstill
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like standstill.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- standstills
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Traffic came to a _____ after the accident.
Etymology
Formed from "stand" plus "still," originally as a deverbal from the phrase "stand still."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “standstill” mean?
The word “standstill” means a complete stop; a state where nothing is moving or progressing. In plain terms, a total halt, whether of traffic, talks, or any kind of progress.
How do you pronounce “standstill”?
“Standstill” is pronounced STAND-stihl (/ˈstændˌstɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “standstill” in a sentence?
Here is “standstill” used in a sentence: “Traffic came to a standstill after the accident.”
What part of speech is “standstill”?
“Standstill” is a noun.
Is “standstill” a common word?
“Standstill” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
