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

See Examples For:

stillness

The investor team found the stubbornly analog machines appealing: At a time when people mediate so many experiences through glowing screens, Tower Optical’s viewers offered something increasingly rare: stillness.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026

The remote island — some 30 miles southwest of Santa Barbara — is typically quiet, yet the stillness feels almost heavy this sunny afternoon.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

But even here, the stillness is partial at best.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026

And on Tuesdays, when Apam observes a long-standing spiritual tradition and no-one goes out to fish, the town falls into an unusual stillness, the Atlantic rolling quietly in the background.

From BBC ● May 2, 2026

Now, as he sat among his scribbled papers in the stillness of his room, the words filled the air.

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Related Words

• calmness
• hush
• serenity
• tranquility