still

[ stil ]

/ stɪl /

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See synonyms for still on Thesaurus.com

adjective, still·er, still·est.

remaining in place or at rest; motionless; stationary: to stand still.

free from sound or noise, as a place or persons; silent: to keep still about a matter.

subdued or low in sound; hushed: a still, small voice.

free from turbulence or commotion; peaceful; tranquil; calm: the still air.

without waves or perceptible current; not flowing, as water.

not effervescent or sparkling, as wine.

Photography. noting, pertaining to, or used for making single photographs, as opposed to a motion picture.

noun

stillness or silence: the still of the night.

Photography. a single photographic print, as one of the frames of a motion-picture film.

adverb

at this or that time; as previously: Are you still here?

up to this or that time; as yet: A day before departure we were still lacking an itinerary.

in the future as in the past: Objections will still be made.

even; in addition; yet (used to emphasize a comparative): still more complaints; still greater riches.

even then; yet; nevertheless: to be rich and still crave more.

without sound or movement; quietly: Sit still!

at or to a greater distance or degree.

Archaic. steadily; constantly; always.

conjunction

and yet; but yet; nevertheless: It was futile, still they fought.

verb (used with object)

to silence or hush (sounds, voices, etc.).

to calm, appease, or allay: to still a craving.

to quiet, subdue, or cause to subside (waves, winds, commotion, tumult, passion, pain, etc.).

verb (used without object)

to become still or quiet.

OTHER WORDS FOR still

1 unmoving, inert, quiescent.

2 soundless, mute.

4 pacific, placid, serene.

8 stillness, quiet, hush, calm.

19 quiet, mute, stifle, muffle.

20 soothe, pacify.

See synonyms for still on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about still

still and all, nonetheless; even with everything considered: Even though you dislike us, still and all you should be polite.

Origin of still

First recorded before 900; Middle English adjective and adverbstill(e), Old English stille; Middle English noun stille “calm (after a storm),” derivative of the adjective; Middle English verb stillen, stil(le) “to be, fall, or remain silent,” Old English stillan; conjunction derivative of the adverb; akin to German still (adjective), stille (adverb), stillen (verb), Dutch stil (adjective and adverb), stillen (verb); see stall¹

synonym study for still

2. Still, quiet, hushed, noiseless, silent indicate the absence of noise and of excitement or activity accompanied by sound. Still indicates the absence of sound or movement: The house was still. Quiet implies relative freedom from noise, activity, or excitement: a quiet engine; a quiet vacation. Hushed implies the suppression of sound or noise: a hushed whisper. Noiseless and silent characterize that which does not reveal its presence or movement by any sound: a noiseless footstep; silent dissent.

Words nearby still

stilbite, stile, stiletto, stiletto heel, Stilicho, still, stillage, still alarm, still and all, stillbirth, stillborn

Other definitions for still (2 of 3)

still²

[ stil ]

/ stɪl /

noun

a distilling apparatus, consisting of a vessel in which a liquid is heated and vaporized and a cooling device or coil for condensing the vapor.

a distillery.

verb (used with or without object)

to distill.

Origin of still

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb stillen, variant of distillen to distill

Other definitions for still (3 of 3)

Still

[ stil ]

/ stɪl /

noun

Andrew Taylor, 1828–1917, U.S. founder of osteopathy.

William Grant, 1895–1978, U.S. composer.

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

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say still?

The conjunction still means “and yet” or “but yet.” Do you know when to use still versus but, nevertheless, however, and yet? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

How to use still in a sentence

Domestically, the prime minister maintains the dubious line that he is the only man who can keep the still-fragile peace.
Cambodia’s Smoke-and-Mirrors Democracy|David Shaftel|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Genetics alone does not an eating disorder make, generally speaking, and Bulik points out that environment still plays a role.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Many young people are still shedding the ignorance of our parents.
‘Empire’ Review: Hip-Hop Musical Chairs with an Insane Soap Opera Twist|Judnick Mayard|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Drugeon survived an airstrike last year and is believed to be still at large, officials have said.
U.S. Spies See Al Qaeda Fingerprints on Paris Massacre|Shane Harris, Nancy A. Youssef|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

That fantasy, however, is still heavily regimented by all sorts of norms.
‘Empire’ Review: Hip-Hop Musical Chairs with an Insane Soap Opera Twist|Judnick Mayard|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Joe looked at her with a smile, his face still solemn and serious for all its youth and the fires of new-lit hope behind his eyes.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
The aged woman made no reply; her eyes still studied Ramona's face, and she still held her hand.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
As there are still many varieties of the plant grown in America, so there doubtless was when cultivated by the Indians.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
"Better so," was the Senora's sole reply; and she fell again into still deeper, more perplexed thought about the hidden treasure.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
Few people, I think, realize that, and fewer still realize the reasonable consequences of that.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

British Dictionary definitions for still (1 of 2)

still¹

/ (stɪl) /

adjective

(usually predicative) motionless; stationary

undisturbed or tranquil; silent and calm

not sparkling or effervescenta still wine

gentle or quiet; subdued

obsolete (of a child) dead at birth

adverb

continuing now or in the future as in the pastdo you still love me?

up to this or that time; yetI still don't know your name

(often used with a comparative) even or yetstill more insults

quiet or without movementsit still

poetic, dialect always

noun

poetic silence or tranquillitythe still of the night

a still photograph, esp of a scene from a motion-picture film
(as modifier)a still camera

verb

to make or become still, quiet, or calm

(tr) to allay or relieveher fears were stilled

sentence connector

even then; neverthelessthe child has some new toys and still cries

Derived forms of still

stillness, noun

Word Origin for still

Old English stille; related to Old Saxon, Old High German stilli, Dutch stollen to curdle, Sanskrit sthānús immobile

British Dictionary definitions for still (2 of 2)

still²

/ (stɪl) /

noun

an apparatus for carrying out distillation, consisting of a vessel in which a mixture is heated, a condenser to turn the vapour back to liquid, and a receiver to hold the distilled liquid, used esp in the manufacture of spirits

a place where spirits are made; distillery

Word Origin for still

C16: from Old French stiller to drip, from Latin stillāre, from stilla a drip; see distil

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with still

still

In addition to the idioms beginning with still

still and all
still small voice
still waters run deep

also see:

heart misses a beat (stands still)
hold still
jury is still out
keep quiet (still)
quiet (still) as a mouse

still

OTHER WORDS FOR still

Idioms about still

Origin of still

synonym study for still

Words nearby still

Other definitions for still (2 of 3)

Origin of still

Other definitions for still (3 of 3)

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say still?

Words related to still

How to use still in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for still (1 of 2)

Derived forms of still

Word Origin for still

British Dictionary definitions for still (2 of 2)

Word Origin for still

Other Idioms and Phrases with still