stillness
Americannoun
-
silence; quiet; hush.
-
the absence of motion.
Etymology
Origin of stillness
before 1000; Middle English stilnesse, Old English stilnes. See still 1, -ness
Explanation
Stillness is a calm, quiet, motionless state. As you look out at the lake, the stillness of the water is a sign that you should take out the canoe rather than the sailboat. When there's stillness, you can hear very few sounds and see very little movement. The stillness of a quiet mountain cabin may be just the escape you need from the busy, noisy city — although you may find that stillness to be a little spooky at night. You can also use this word for a more specific example of motionlessness: "The butterfly's stillness allowed me to get a good look at its beautiful wings."
Vocabulary lists containing stillness
myPerspectives 7.4
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The Suffix -ness, Part 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With a far-seeing stillness, Kani’s Sam does more than endure.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
Coming after an eventful week—and a tough one for stocks, with the S&P 500 sliding 1.6%—the stillness was a welcome change of pace.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026
Tamma is trying to find the emotional stillness to deal with a dysfunctional family that makes plenty of demands but offers little support.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026
"Even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration," said Catherine.
From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026
Swimming gave him the chance to move and exercise his body, to uncramp it from the stiffening stillness of sitting with a chessboard or a book.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
