Word
stationary
Phoneticssta·tion·ary
US/ˈsteɪʃəˌnɛɹi/
UK/stˈeɪʃənəɹi/
Definitions
01not moving
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. staying in one place and not moving.
adj. standing still; not moving or not intended to be moved.
Español:estacionario
“The car remained stationary at the red light for several minutes.”
“The truck collided with a stationary vehicle that had broken down in the middle of the highway during the storm.”
Pitfall
I need to buy some new stationary for my office.
I need to buy some new stationery for my office.
Use 'stationary' for things that don't move. Use 'stationery' (with an 'e') for paper and envelopes.
Synonyms
02unchanging
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
adj. staying at the same level or in the same condition.
adj. not changing in condition, value, or quantity; remaining at a stable level.
“The population of the small village has remained stationary for ten years.”
“Economic indicators suggest that prices will remain stationary throughout the next quarter, providing some relief to consumers.”
Usage
Often used in academic or technical reports to describe data that does not trend upward or downward.
Antonyms
Confusables
Stationary describes a lack of movement, while stationery refers to paper and writing supplies.
RememberStationary has an 'a' for at rest; stationery has an 'e' for envelopes.
Real-World Examples
“This gave him a way to visualize the flight track and determine when the bird was in flight or stationary.” “Under the near-weightless conditions on the ISS, we only need to apply far smaller forces to keep the droplet stationary—and that is a huge advantage," explains Busch.” Etymology
From Latin stationarius, from statio, ultimately from stō (“to stand”). Doublet of stationer.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/stationary
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0