stationery

[ stey-shuh-ner-ee ]

/ ˈsteɪ ʃəˌnɛr i /

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See synonyms for stationery on Thesaurus.com

noun

writing paper.

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

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of stationery

First recorded in 1670–80; stationer + -y³

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH stationery

stationary, stationery

Words nearby stationery

stationary state, stationary wave, station break, stationer, Stationers' Company, stationery, Stationery Office, station house, stationmaster, stations of the cross, station-to-station

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

STATIONERY VS. STATIONARY

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.

Quiz yourself on stationery vs. stationary!

Should stationery or stationary be used in the following sentence?

I love writing letters on hotel _____.

How to use stationery in a sentence

You’ll find QR codes on menus, packaging, posters, brochures, stationery, and other items.
Your phone’s camera does so much more than take pictures|empire|August 19, 2021|Popular-Science
Your name should reflect your business’ real-world name, as used consistently on your storefront, website, stationery, and as known to customers.
The real-world impact of keyword stuffing in Google My Business|Colan Nielsen|May 7, 2021|Search Engine Land
It sold an array of clothing, jewelry, handbags and stationery, earning it the nickname “the palace of trade.”
Mall department stores were struggling. The pandemic has pushed them to the edge of extinction.|Abha Bhattarai|April 16, 2021|Washington Post
She had personal stationery printed for the use of the family many years ago.
Miss Manners: Time for exec’s assistant to fix grammatical error|Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin|March 25, 2021|Washington Post

Volunteer to arrange for the next printing of the stationery — surely, after 10 years, it is time.
Miss Manners: Time for exec’s assistant to fix grammatical error|Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin|March 25, 2021|Washington Post
Cheap stationery found at writing desks and office drawers around the world has been used for love letters to the city.
Chinese Tourists Are Taking Hong Kong Protest Selfies|Brendon Hong|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I own a stationery company that focuses mostly on custom orders.
Etsy Changed Its Policy. So What?|Sara Stroman|November 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
So when I decided to launch my own stationery company in 2009, my choice of selling platform was simple.
Etsy Changed Its Policy. So What?|Sara Stroman|November 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Jerry Garcia had ordered turtle-engraved stationery from the company just months before his death in 1995.
Terrapin Stationers, the Most Badass New Stationer|Lauren Sherman|July 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
At Pentagon procurement prices, the cost of switching the stationery alone would be astronomical.
More South-Bashing!|Michael Tomasky|May 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They acquiesced delightedly and accordingly that evening a huge bundle of stationery was left at their door.
Those Dale Girls|Frank Weston Carruth
On heavily-crested stationery follow the missives of the ladies whose daughters would make sweet bridesmaids.
With Edged Tools|Henry Seton Merriman
"Wait here a few minutes," and he darted into a nearby store where they sold stationery.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
Within the past two months manufacturers have received a letter on the stationery of the International Exhibition, Paris, 1914.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2|Various
He saw that the stationery cabinet had been disturbed and laughed.
The Daffodil Mystery|Edgar Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for stationery

stationery

/ (ˈsteɪʃənərɪ) /

noun

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

undefined stationery

Avoid confusion with stationary

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

stationery

Origin of stationery

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH stationery

Words nearby stationery

STATIONERY VS. STATIONARY

What’s the difference between stationery and stationary?

Quiz yourself on stationery vs. stationary!

Words related to stationery

How to use stationery in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for stationery

undefined stationery