Word
stationery
Phoneticssta·tionery
US/ˈsteɪʃəˌnɛɹi/
UK/stˈeɪʃənəɹi/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the materials you use for writing, such as paper, envelopes, and pens. You often buy these in a special shop for office or school supplies.
n. writing materials and office supplies, including paper, envelopes, and writing implements. Often refers specifically to high-quality paper used for personal or formal correspondence.
Examples
“I need to buy some new stationery for my office.”
“The company ordered custom stationery featuring the new logo to ensure all outgoing letters looked professional.”
“While digital communication has become the standard, there remains a niche market for luxury stationery crafted from heavy, cream-coloured paper and finished with hand-pressed wax seals.”
Examples
simple
“I need to buy some new stationery for my office.”
contextual
“The company ordered custom stationery featuring the new logo to ensure all outgoing letters looked professional.”
complex
“While digital communication has become the standard, there remains a niche market for luxury stationery crafted from heavy, cream-coloured paper and finished with hand-pressed wax seals.”
Usage
Uncountable; used with singular verb agreement. Often confused with the adjective 'stationary'.
Pitfall
I bought some stationeries
I bought some stationery
Stationery is uncountable and does not have a plural form.
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
“Children will also be able to pick up free stationery, pencil cases and water bottles.” “Videos of people showing off their Japan "haul" of flavoured KitKats, stationery and clothes have become popular on social media.” Etymology
From stationer + -y.
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
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englishreference.com/q/stationery