Word
motionless
Phoneticsmo·tion·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmoʊʃənɫəs/
UK/mˈəʊʃənləs/
Definition
adj. not moving at all. You use this to describe something that is perfectly still or quiet.
adj. not moving or showing any sign of movement. Often used to describe a state of physical stillness or a lack of activity.
Examples
“The cat sat motionless on the windowsill.”
“The statue stood motionless in the center of the garden, watching the children play.”
“The lake was so motionless that the reflection of the clouds seemed to be painted directly onto the surface of the water.”
Examples
simple
“The cat sat motionless on the windowsill.”
contextual
“The statue stood motionless in the center of the garden, watching the children play.”
complex
“The lake was so motionless that the reflection of the clouds seemed to be painted directly onto the surface of the water.”
Real-World Examples
“When you lie awake motionless in the dark, your tracker often mistakes it for sleep.” “This is particularly valuable for an animal that may spend much of its life sitting almost motionless.” Etymology
From motion + -less.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/motionless