still
STIHL
Still (adj) means not moving; calm and motionless. Example: “The lake was perfectly still at dawn.”
adj
1
Not moving; calm and motionless.
"The lake was perfectly still at dawn."
"Stay still while I take your photo, and try not to blink."
"The air was still, and not a single leaf moved on the trees."
2
Continuing to be the case up to now, often unexpectedly.
"She is still awake at midnight, finishing the report."
"Do you still live near the old railway station?"
"It was still raining when we reached the campsite, so we stayed inside."
noun
1
Apparatus used to distill liquids, especially alcoholic spirits.
"The old farmhouse had a copper still hidden in the barn."
"The distillery proudly showed visitors the huge copper still where the spirit was made."
"A guide explained how the whisky still heats the liquid until vapour rises."
2
A single photograph, especially one taken from a film.
"The magazine printed a still from the movie's final scene."
"She framed a black-and-white still from her favourite old film and hung it up."
"The newspaper used a still from the video to illustrate the story."
verb
1
To make calm or quiet.
"A cup of tea helped still her nerves before the interview."
"The teacher raised her hand to still the noisy class."
"Soft music can still a crying baby better than words."
How to use still
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- stills
- Third person singular
- stills
- Past tense
- stilled
- Comparative
- stiller, more still
- Superlative
- stillest, most still
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".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for still
See all rhymes for still →Frequently asked questions
What does “still” mean?
The word “still” means not moving; calm and motionless. In plain terms, depending on context: not moving, continuing as before, a distilling device, or a single photo frame.
How do you pronounce “still”?
“Still” is pronounced STIHL (/ˈstɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “still” in a sentence?
Here is “still” used in a sentence: “The lake was perfectly still at dawn.”
What part of speech is “still”?
Depending on how it is used, “still” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “still” come from?
The word “still” comes from Old English. From Old English stille ("motionless, quiet"), from a very old Indo-European root meaning "to be silent or still" — related to "stall".
Is “still” a common word?
“Still” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “still” have?
“Still” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not moving; calm and motionless.
What is the difference between still and calm?
'Still' emphasises the absence of movement, so nothing stirs, as in still water or a still figure. 'Calm' emphasises the absence of agitation or disturbance, whether in weather, a situation, or a person's mood. Something can be perfectly still yet not calm, but the two often overlap to describe a peaceful, settled state.
Does 'still' mean the same thing as an adjective and an adverb?
No. As an adjective, 'still' means motionless or calm, as in 'still water.' As an adverb, it usually means 'up to now' or 'even so,' as in 'she is still waiting.' They share a spelling but carry unrelated meanings, so the context of the sentence tells you which sense applies.
What is an example of 'still' used as an adjective?
'The lake was completely still at dawn' describes water without a ripple. 'He stood still' means he stopped moving entirely. 'Keep the camera still' asks you to hold it steady. In each case, 'still' points to the absence of motion rather than to time or continuation.
What is the opposite of still?
The opposite depends on the sense. When 'still' means motionless, its opposites are 'moving,' 'active,' or 'restless.' When it suggests a calm, undisturbed surface or scene, opposites include 'turbulent,' 'agitated,' or 'choppy.' A rushing river is the natural contrast to still, undisturbed water.
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