still
/stil/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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.
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.
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
- free from noticeable current
- a still pond
- still waters run deep
- not sparkling
- a still wine
- still mineral water
- 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
- (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
- marked by absence of sound
- a silent house
- soundless footsteps on the grass
- the night was still
- not in physical motion
- the inertia of an object at rest
Adverb
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- a plant and works where alcoholic drinks are made by distillation
- 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
- (poetic) tranquil silence
- the still of the night
- a static photograph (especially one taken from a movie and used for advertising purposes)
- he wanted some stills for a magazine ad
Verb
- make motionless
- lessen the intensity of or calm
- The news eased my conscience
- still the fears
- cause to be quiet or not talk
- Please silence the children in the church!
- make calm or still
- quiet the dragons of worry and fear