still life

noun

plural still lifes
1
: a picture consisting predominantly of inanimate objects
2
: the category of graphic arts concerned with inanimate subject matter

Examples of still life in a Sentence

an exhibit of still lifes She prefers portraiture to still life.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Loose, gestural ink drawings sit alongside still lifes of treasured objects, flea market finds are arranged like miniature stage sets, and candid snapshots of her Milan existence are collaged with painterly abandon. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2026 On a less serious but still life-altering scale, osteoporosis, if left untreated, can limit your ability to walk, live independently, and complete daily activities, DeSapri says. Jenny McCoy, Outside, 27 Feb. 2026 Junior high students are tasked with still life drawings, while high school students must complete a portrait or full-figure work. Claire Partain, Houston Chronicle, 13 Feb. 2026 Even the prettiest and most cheerful landscapes and still lifes, such as Belly Flowers and Sonny Hart’s Garden, use this contrast to create tension. Benjamin Lima special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for still life

Word History

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of still life was in 1695

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Still life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/still%20life. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

still life

noun
plural still lifes
: a picture of an arrangement of objects
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster