Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Not moving; motionless: Describes something that is completely without movement or sound.
   • Calm and quiet; free from disturbance: Describes a peaceful, tranquil state, especially of water or the atmosphere.
   • Not effervescent; not sparkling: Describes a drink, typically wine, that does not contain bubbles.
   • Relating to a static image: Used to describe a photograph, especially one taken from a film or depicting inanimate objects.

2. Adverb:

   • Up to and including the present or the time mentioned; even now/ then: Indicates that a situation or action continues.
   • Nevertheless; all the same: Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems surprising after a previous statement.
   • To an even greater degree or extent: Used for emphasis with comparatives.
   • Without moving or making a sound: Describes performing an action in a motionless or silent manner.

3. Noun:

   • Deep silence and calm; quietness: A period or state of tranquility and absence of noise.
   • A static photograph, especially a single frame from a movie: A photograph used for publicity or study.
   • An apparatus for distilling liquids, especially alcoholic spirits: The equipment or the place where distillation occurs.

4. Verb:

   • To make or become still, calm, or quiet: To stop movement or noise; to pacify.
   • To alleviate or calm (a feeling): To reduce the intensity of an emotion like fear or anxiety.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The night was completely still.
  • She prefers still water to sparkling water.
  • The artist is famous for his still life paintings.

• Adverb:

  • I still remember that day.
  • It was raining. Still, we decided to go for a walk.
  • He is tall, but his brother is still taller.

• Noun:

  • A profound still fell over the forest.
  • The magazine published stills from the upcoming film.
  • The illegal still was discovered by the police.

• Verb:

  • The mother stilled the crying baby.
  • His reassurance stilled my fears.

Advanced Usage

• "Still and all": Nevertheless; when everything is considered.

  • It's a risky plan. Still and all, it might be our best option.

• "Still life" (noun phrase): A painting or drawing of inanimate objects like flowers or fruit.

  • She is taking a course in still life painting.

• In a legal/formal context: "Still" can be used to mean "at a later time; even then."

  • The court may still decide to hear the case.

Variants and Related Words

• Stillness (n): The quality of being still; silence and lack of movement.

  • The stillness of the lake at dawn was beautiful.

• Stillborn (adj): (Of a baby) born dead. Figuratively, (of an idea or plan) failing to develop or be realized.

  • The project was stillborn due to lack of funding.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Motionless, stationary, calm, tranquil, quiet, silent, static.
• Adverb: Yet, even now, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding.
• Verb: Quiet, calm, soothe, pacify, silence, subdue.

Related Phrases and Phrasal Verbs

• Hold still: To remain motionless.

  • Please hold still while I take your picture.

• Sit/stand still: To remain seated or standing without moving.

  • The children couldn't sit still during the long ceremony.

Related Idioms

• Still waters run deep: A quiet or placid person may have a profound, passionate, or complex nature.

  • He doesn't say much, but still waters run deep.

• (The) still of the night: The quietest, most peaceful part of the night.

  • She loved to read in the still of the night.

Adjective

1. free from noticeable current
   • a still pond
   • still waters run deep
2. not sparkling
   • a still wine
   • still mineral water
3. used of pictures; of a single or static photograph not presented so as to create the illusion of motion; or representing objects not capable of motion
   • a still photograph
   • Cezanne's still life of apples
4. (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
   • a ribbon of sand between the angry sea and the placid bay
   • the quiet waters of a lagoon
   • a lake of tranquil blue water reflecting a tranquil blue sky
   • a smooth channel crossing
   • scarcely a ripple on the still water
   • unruffled water
5. marked by absence of sound
   • a silent house
   • soundless footsteps on the grass
   • the night was still
6. not in physical motion
   • the inertia of an object at rest

Adverb

1. without moving or making a sound
   • he sat still as a statue
   • time stood still
   • they waited stock-still outside the door
   • he couldn't hold still any longer
2. to a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons
   • looked sick and felt even worse
   • an even (or still) more interesting problem
   • still another problem must be solved
   • a yet sadder tale
3. despite anything to the contrary (usually following a concession)
   • although I'm a little afraid, however I'd like to try it
   • while we disliked each other, nevertheless we agreed
   • he was a stern yet fair master
   • granted that it is dangerous, all the same I still want to go
4. with reference to action or condition; without change, interruption, or cessation
   • it's still warm outside
   • will you still love me when we're old and grey?

Noun

1. a plant and works where alcoholic drinks are made by distillation
2. an apparatus used for the distillation of liquids; consists of a vessel in which a substance is vaporized by heat and a condenser where the vapor is condensed
3. (poetic) tranquil silence
   • the still of the night
4. a static photograph (especially one taken from a movie and used for advertising purposes)
   • he wanted some stills for a magazine ad

Verb

1. make motionless
2. lessen the intensity of or calm
   • The news eased my conscience
   • still the fears
3. cause to be quiet or not talk
   • Please silence the children in the church!
4. make calm or still
   • quiet the dragons of worry and fear