stationery

American  

[stey-shuh-ner-ee] / ˈsteɪ ʃəˌnɛr i /

noun

1. writing paper.

2. writing materials, as pens, pencils, paper, and envelopes.

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stationery British  

/ ˈsteɪʃənərɪ /

noun

1. any writing materials, such as paper, envelopes, pens, ink, rulers, etc

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Usage

What’s the difference between stationery and stationary? Stationery with an e is a noun that refers to paper for writing or writing materials. It most commonly refers to nice paper for writing, such as fancy notecards or special monogrammed paper for writing letters—you normally wouldn’t call just any old paper stationery. Stationary with an a is typically used as an adjective that means standing still, fixed in place, or not moving, as in a stationary bike or Face the camera and try to remain stationary.The two words mean completely different things, so the trick is remembering which spelling to use for each.Try this: think of the e in stationery as standing for envelope. Think of the a in stationary as standing for anchor, which keeps it fixed in place.Here’s an example of stationery and stationary used correctly in a sentence.Example: If you think about it, paperweights were invented to keep stationery stationary.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between stationery and stationary.

Commonly Confused

See stationary

Etymology

Origin of stationery

First recorded in 1670–80; stationer + -y ³

Example Sentences

That faced some controversy from the community who argued the city was erasing their history and burdening them with the cost to change stationery.

From Los Angeles Times

Inside, on the police chief’s stationery, was a handwritten note.

From Literature

My mother’s creamy embossed stationery sits next to the telephone.

From Literature

Designed by architect James Brown of the firm Brown & Carrick, it was built for Francis Orr & Sons - a well-known Glaswegian stationery and publishing company.

From BBC

They’ve opened studios and galleries alongside the stationery store, coffee shops, tea cocktail lounges, fusion restaurants and destination bars that come fully to life only after dark.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• letterhead