still

1 of 6

adjective

1
a
: devoid of or abstaining from motion
b
archaic : sedentary
c
: not effervescent
still wine
d(1)
: of, relating to, or being a static photograph as contrasted with a motion picture
(2)
: designed for taking still photographs
a still camera
(3)
: engaged in taking still photographs
a still photographer
2
a
: uttering no sound : quiet
b
3
a
b
: free from noise or turbulence
stillness noun

still

2 of 6

verb (1)

stilled; stilling; stills

intransitive verb

: to become motionless or silent : quiet

transitive verb

1
a
: allay, calm
stilled their nerves
b
: to put an end to : settle
2
: to arrest the motion of
3

still

3 of 6

adverb

1
: without motion
sit still
2
archaic
b
: in a progressive manner : increasingly
3
used as a function word to indicate the continuance of an action or condition
still lives there
drink it while it's still hot
4
: in spite of that : nevertheless
those who take the greatest care still make mistakes
5
a
: even sense 1b
a still more difficult problem
heavier still
b
: yet sense 1a
has still to be recognized

still

4 of 6

noun (1)

1
2
: a static photograph
specifically : a photograph of actors or scenes of a movie for publicity or documentary purposes

still

5 of 6

verb (2)

stilled; stilling; stills

still

6 of 6

noun (2)

1
2
: apparatus used in distillation comprising either the chamber in which the vaporization is carried out or the entire equipment

Examples of still in a Sentence

Adjective The cat twitched slightly, and then was still. Everyone had left, and the house was finally still. a class in still photography They had still and fizzy drinks. Verb (1) it seemed as though nothing could still the fighting reading a book helps me to relax and still my mind before going to bed the conversation was abruptly stilled by a loud crash from the next room Adverb Sit still. It'll just take a minute. the cat sat absolutely still, watching as the mouse began to make its way across the floor Noun (1) in the still of the forest he could relax and forget his worries a loud noise shattered the still of the night
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.
Adjective
Prosecutors said police later identified Korosa from a community bulletin containing a still image from the CTA surveillance video. Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025 Still, the richest, most enduring pleasures here are formal ones, beginning with the exacting still-life compositions and oily, vehement primary hues of Jenkins’ 16mm lensing, which can make a painterly subject of a maritime squall or a mustard-yellow wading boot. Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
Some of The Subjects were named, which stilled the others. Leila Chatti september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025 Produced from vines dating back to 1950, the 2002, 2005 and 2015 are stilling thriving. Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Adverb
So why was she still being treated like a box to check? Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 One brother for at least $100,000 over the years, the other somewhat less but still substantial – new cars, medical bills and other things. R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
As evidence that Midjourney trained its AI system on its intellectual property, the studio attaches dozens of images showing the tool’s outputs compared to stills from its movies and TV shows. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025 During the second distillation, the ingredients of Mole Poblano, cacao, roasted chilies, and assorted spices are introduced into the still, allowing the spirit vapors to pass through those ingredients, infusing the mezcal with a rich, layered complexity. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for still

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English stille, from Old English; akin to Old High German stilli still and perhaps to Old English steall stall — more at stall

Verb (2)

Middle English stillen, short for distillen to distill

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of still was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Still.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/still. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

still

1 of 5 adjective
1
a
: not moving
lying quiet and still
b
: of, relating to, or being an ordinary photograph rather than a motion picture
2
: uttering no sound : quiet
3
a
b
: free from noise or commotion : peaceful
stillness noun

still

2 of 5 verb
1
a
: to make quiet : calm
still their fears
b
: to put to an end : settle
2
: to make or become motionless or silent : quiet

still

3 of 5 adverb
1
: without motion
sit still
2
: up to this or that time
still lives there
while it's still hot
3
: in spite of that : nevertheless
those who take care can still make mistakes
4
a
: even entry 3 sense 4
a still more difficult problem
b
: beyond this : in addition, yet
won still another tournament

still

4 of 5 noun
1
2
: a still photograph

still

5 of 5 noun
1
2
: a device used in distillation
Etymology

Adjective

Old English stille "not moving"

Noun

from earlier still (verb) "to distill," from Middle English stillen, a shortened form of distillen "to distill"

Biographical Definition

Still

biographical name

Andrew Taylor 1828–1917 American founder of osteopathy

More from Merriam-Webster on still

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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