Stoic

[ stoh-ik ]

/ ˈstoʊ ɪk /

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adjective

of or relating to the school of philosophy founded by Zeno, who taught that people should be free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief, and submit without complaint to unavoidable necessity.

sto·ic. Often sto·i·cal

[stoh-i-kuhl] /ˈstoʊ ɪ kəl/ . characterized by a calm, austere fortitude befitting the Stoics, especially in the face of trouble or loss; not giving in to one’s emotions: I'm normally pretty stoic about goodbyes.At first, the artist’s father remained stoic about her success, barely reacting when she won the award.

noun

a member or adherent of the Stoic school of philosophy.

sto·ic, a person who maintains or affects the mental attitude advocated by the Stoics: She's such a stoic—she's suffering, but she never says a word about it.

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Origin of Stoic

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin Stōicus, from Greek Stōikós, equivalent to stō- (variant stem of stoá stoa) + -ikos -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM Stoic

non-Sto·ic, adjective, nounun·sto·ic, adjective

Words nearby Stoic

stockyard, stodge, stodgy, stoep, stogy, Stoic, stoical, stoically, stoichiology, stoichiometric, stoichiometry

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Stoic in a sentence

From the few photographs of him, we see a stout man with deep Indian features, a thick mustache and stoic face.
New Orleans’ Carnivalesque Day of the Dead|Jason Berry|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unlike many of those stoic audiences, Meerson has traveled extensively.
Igor Meerson, Russia’s Funniest Export|Nico Hines|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I kneel with the journalist in the sand, my face stoic and yet terrified, crying, knowing that I can do nothing but wait.
Thank Goodness We’ve Got A Plan! Let the War Begin!|Michael Carson|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A stoic figure in a white floor length dress and razor-tailored bodice was accessorized with a giant bull skull as a mask.
Gareth Pugh's Fashion Show Lacked Fashion, But Not Passion|Justin Jones|September 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

By comparison, being stereotyped as intellectual, stoic, and boring might seem like a nice problem to have.
Model Minority Rage: Why the Hulk Should Be an Asian Guy|Arthur Chu|July 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The philosophical sect to which he belonged was the Stoic, as plainly appears from many passages in his Geography.
The Geography of Strabo, Volume III (of 3)|Strabo
Poseidonius the Stoic was a native of this place, a man of the most extensive learning among the philosophers of our times.
The Geography of Strabo, Volume III (of 3)|Strabo
The whole phrase would thus be equivalent to ‘solemn doctors of the Stoic sect.’
Milton's Comus|John Milton
Gozzi piqued himself on being what I may call a Stoic-Democritean philosopher.
The Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the first|Count Carlo Gozzi
However, it is due to him to say that he bore his surprises and pains with the uncomplaining resignation of a Stoic.
The Norsemen in the West|R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for Stoic (1 of 2)

stoic

/ (ˈstəʊɪk) /

noun

a person who maintains stoical qualities

adjective

a variant of stoical

British Dictionary definitions for Stoic (2 of 2)

Stoic

/ (ˈstəʊɪk) /

noun

a member of the ancient Greek school of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium, holding that virtue and happiness can be attained only by submission to destiny and the natural law

adjective

of or relating to the doctrines of the Stoics

Word Origin for Stoic

C16: via Latin from Greek stōikos, from stoa the porch in Athens where Zeno taught

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