English Reference
Adjective

stoic

adj.
C1 Advanced US /ˈstoʊɪk/ UK /stˈəʊɪk/ sto·ic UK spelling stoics Philosophy

adj.describing someone who can stay calm and not complain when they are in pain or having a hard time. You use this for people who control their feelings very well.

adj.enduring pain or hardship without a display of feelings and without complaint. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'remain' or 'stay'.


SIMPLE

He remained stoic even when he received the bad news.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite the physical exhaustion of the marathon, the runner maintained a stoic expression until she crossed the finish line.

COMPLEX

The protagonist's stoic acceptance of his fate serves as a central theme, illustrating the philosophical belief that one should focus only on what is within their control.

Usage

Often follows a linking verb or modifies a person's reaction or expression.

Clancy, who was left paralysed after jumping from a second-floor window shortly after the killings, appeared stoic as she sat in a wheelchair beside her lawyer.

BBC News· 1 Sept 2026

Jack is 12 when we meet him, and in the care of his mother’s people: two stoic grandparents, a trio of blustering uncles and an unhelpfully gorgeous aunt.

The Guardian· 19 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated