Word
stagnant
Phoneticsstag·nant, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstæɡnənt/
UK/stˈæɡnənt/
Definition
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.
Examples
“The air in the old room felt heavy and stagnant.”
“Mosquitoes often breed in stagnant water that collects in old tires after a heavy rain.”
“Economists warned that without significant investment in new technology, the nation's industrial sector would remain stagnant while its global competitors continued to innovate.”
Examples
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.”
Usage
Often follows linking verbs like 'become', 'remain', or 'stay'.
Real-World Examples
“AI researchers often talk about “AI Springs” and “AI Winters”—periods when progress in the field is either booming or stagnant.” “TEMPO reveals how pollution—like the weather—is not stagnant.” Etymology
From French stagnant, from Latin stagnans, present participle of stagno (“to form a pool of standing water”).
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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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