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

Working in charcoal and conté crayon two days a week for an entire year—600 hours—the young student achieved a remarkable level of photographic verisimilitude in the still life. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026

In some ways Bartlow mirrors the choice of some fine dining chefs in Spain to trade perfectly plated still lifes for deep, homey flavors that cover every inch of the table. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026

Its poster is a still life every Jeddah resident knows, a rooftop of water tanks and air conditioners against a hazy sky. — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Hockney’s show featured new works, with five still lives and portraits, alongside the 300 feet frieze A Year in Normandie (2020–21). — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for still life

• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife
• wildlife
• afterlife
• pocketknife

Kids Definition

still life

noun

plural still lifes

: a picture of an arrangement of objects