still

1 of 6

adjective

ˈstil How to pronounce still (audio)
Synonyms of stillnext
1
a
: devoid of or abstaining from motion
b
archaic : sedentary
c
: not effervescent
still wine
d(1)
: of, relating to, or being a static photograph as contrasted with a motion picture
(2)
: designed for taking still photographs
a still camera
(3)
: engaged in taking still photographs
a still photographer
2
a
: uttering no sound : quiet
b
: subdued, muted
3
a
: calm, tranquil
b
: free from noise or turbulence
stillness noun

still

2 of 6

verb (1)

stilled; stilling; stills

intransitive verb

: to become motionless or silent : quiet

transitive verb

1
a
: allay, calm
stilled their nerves
b
: to put an end to : settle
2
: to arrest the motion of
3
: silence

still

3 of 6

adverb

1
: without motion
sit still
2
archaic
a
: always, continually
b
: in a progressive manner : increasingly
3
—used as a function word to indicate the continuance of an action or condition
still lives there
drink it while it's still hot
4
: in spite of that : nevertheless
those who take the greatest care still make mistakes
5
a
: even sense 1b
a still more difficult problem
heavier still
b
: yet sense 1a
has still to be recognized

still

4 of 6

noun (1)

1
: quiet, silence
2
: a static photograph
specifically : a photograph of actors or scenes of a motion picture for publicity or documentary purposes

still

5 of 6

verb (2)

stilled; stilling; stills
: distill

still

6 of 6

noun (2)

1
: distillery
2
: apparatus used in distillation comprising either the chamber in which the vaporization is carried out or the entire equipment

Synonyms

Adjective

Verb (1)

Adverb

Noun (1)

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of still in a Sentence

Adjective The cat twitched slightly, and then was still. Everyone had left, and the house was finally still. a class in still photography They had still and fizzy drinks. Verb (1) it seemed as though nothing could still the fighting reading a book helps me to relax and still my mind before going to bed the conversation was abruptly stilled by a loud crash from the next room Adverb Sit still. It'll just take a minute. the cat sat absolutely still, watching as the mouse began to make its way across the floor Noun (1) in the still of the forest he could relax and forget his worries a loud noise shattered the still of the night
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
On windy nights, the S50 automatically rejects a higher percentage of images than on a still night. —PCMAG, 16 May 2024 On the stillest nights, at nine o'clock, Major Anderson could hear the great bells in the distant witch-cap spire of St. Michael's Church, bastion of Charleston society where planters displayed rank by purchasing pews. —CBS News, 26 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for still 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'still.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English stille, from Old English; akin to Old High German stilli still and perhaps to Old English steall stall — more at stall

Verb (2)

Middle English stillen, short for distillen to distill

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of still was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing still

Dictionary Entries Near still

Stilicho

still

Still

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Still.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/still. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

still

1 of 5 adjective
ˈstil How to pronounce still (audio)
1
a
: not moving
lying quiet and still
b
: of, relating to, or being an ordinary photograph rather than a motion picture
2
: uttering no sound : quiet
3
a
: tranquil, calm
b
: free from noise or commotion : peaceful
stillness noun

still

2 of 5 verb
1
a
: to make quiet : calm
still their fears
b
: to put to an end : settle
2
: to make or become motionless or silent : quiet

still

3 of 5 adverb
1
: without motion
sit still
2
: up to this or that time
still lives there
while it's still hot
3
: in spite of that : nevertheless
those who take care can still make mistakes
4
a
: even entry 3 sense 4
a still more difficult problem
b
: beyond this : in addition, yet
won still another tournament

still

4 of 5 noun
1
: quiet entry 1, silence
2
: a still photograph

still

5 of 5 noun
1
: distillery
2
: a device used in distillation
Etymology

Adjective

Old English stille "not moving"

Noun

from earlier still (verb) "to distill," from Middle English stillen, a shortened form of distillen "to distill"

Biographical Definition

Still

biographical name

ˈstil How to pronounce Still (audio)
Andrew Taylor 1828–1917 American founder of osteopathy

More from Merriam-Webster on still

Nglish: Translation of still for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of still for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about still

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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