stationery

[ stey-shuh-ner-ee ]

noun

1. writing paper.
2. writing materials, as pens, pencils, paper, and envelopes.

stationery

/ ˈsteɪʃənərɪ /

noun

1. any writing materials, such as paper, envelopes, pens, ink, rulers, etc

Usage

See stationary

Word History and Origins

Origin of stationery¹

First recorded in 1670–80; stationer + -y ³

Example Sentences

"I need to pick up food, books, stationery, pens, pencils... clothes in general and bags", she said.

From BBC

MSPs are allowed to spend up to £5,500 a year on postage and stationery as part of parliamentary resources.

From BBC

Cary points to Martha Stewart’s championing of letterpress stationery as part of the reason why a revival came around in the early aughts.

From Los Angeles Times

Paperless Post has also earned fans in the heritage stationery businesses it sought to disrupt, collaborating with brands like Crane and Cheree Berry on digital products.

From New York Times

Fee focused on the location of a blue blazer containing Senate stationery that Kougemitros said had been found inside a locked closet where gold was discovered.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• letterhead

Stationery Vs. Stationary

What’s the difference between stationery and stationary?

Stationery with an e is a noun that refers to paper for writing or writing materials. It most commonly refers to nice paper for writing, such as fancy notecards or special monogrammed paper for writing letters—you normally wouldn’t call just any old paper stationery. Stationary with an a is typically used as an adjective that means standing still, fixed in place, or not moving, as in a stationary bike or Face the camera and try to remain stationary.

The two words mean completely different things, so the trick is remembering which spelling to use for each.

Try this: think of the e in stationery as standing for envelope. Think of the a in stationary as standing for anchor, which keeps it fixed in place.

Here’s an example of stationery and stationary used correctly in a sentence.

Example: If you think about it, paperweights were invented to keep stationery stationary.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between stationery and stationary.

Quiz yourself on stationery vs. stationary!

Should stationery or stationary be used in the following sentence?

I love writing letters on hotel _____.