ENGLISH
REFERENCE

stagnant

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈstæɡnənt// UK //stˈæɡnənt// stag·nant

adj. describing water that is not moving and often smells bad, or a situation that is not growing or changing.

adj. showing no activity, movement, or growth; often used to describe bodies of water that lack a current or flow. Frequently applied metaphorically to economies or careers that have ceased to develop.


SIMPLE

The air in the old room felt heavy and stagnant.

CONTEXTUAL

Mosquitoes often breed in stagnant water that collects in old tires after a heavy rain.

COMPLEX

Economists warned that without significant investment in new technology, the nation's industrial sector would remain stagnant while its global competitors continued to innovate.

Synonyms
Origin

From French stagnant, from Latin stagnans, present participle of stagno (“to form a pool of standing water”).

Usage

Often follows linking verbs like 'become', 'remain', or 'stay'.

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