stillness

American  

[stil-nis] / ˈstɪl nɪs /

noun

1. silence; quiet; hush.

2. the absence of motion.

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Etymology

Origin of stillness

before 1000; Middle English stilnesse, Old English stilnes. See still ¹, -ness

Explanation

Stillness is a calm, quiet, motionless state. As you look out at the lake, the stillness of the water is a sign that you should take out the canoe rather than the sailboat. When there's stillness, you can hear very few sounds and see very little movement. The stillness of a quiet mountain cabin may be just the escape you need from the busy, noisy city — although you may find that stillness to be a little spooky at night. You can also use this word for a more specific example of motionlessness: "The butterfly's stillness allowed me to get a good look at its beautiful wings."

Example Sentences

Here the road becomes a boundary between different ways of moving through — and loving — the same landscape: speed and stillness, noise and silence, crowds and solitude.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

It also “vibe scented” a horror movie, creating a fragrance, distributed at screenings, that “captures the chilling, damp, metallic stillness of a nightmare that won’t let you escape,” according to the film’s press materials.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

"Even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration," said Catherine.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026

Rather than chasing an expression, I was interested in stillness and repetition; how a simple gesture could feel amplified when echoed across a frame.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

There he struck his lyre, and at the sound all that vast multitude were charmed to stillness.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

• calmness
• hush
• serenity
• tranquility