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adj Uncommon

stationary

STAYSHN-ree

Stationary (adj) means not moving; staying in one place. Example: “The car remained stationary at the red light.”

adj
1
Not moving; staying in one place.
"The car remained stationary at the red light."
"Keep the ladder stationary while your partner climbs it."

How to use stationary

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot moving; staying still.

Memory tip

stationAry has stAy — it stays put.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The car remained _____ at the red light.

Etymology

From Latin stationarius, related to "station," a fixed place.

Origin: Latin

Antonyms

in motion

Related words

Rhymes for stationary

See all rhymes for 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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial