HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

To look up an entry in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, use the search window above. For best results, after typing in the word, click on the “Search” button instead of using the “enter” key.

Some compound words (like bus rapid transit, dog whistle, or identity theft) don’t appear on the drop-down list when you type them in the search bar. For best results with compound words, place a quotation mark before the compound word in the search window.

guide to the dictionary

still¹

(stĭl)

adj. still·er, still·est

a. Not moving or in motion: The patient must be still for the doctor to work.

b. Free from disturbance, agitation, or commotion: the still waters of the lake.

c. Of or relating to a single or static photograph as opposed to a movie.

2. Making or characterized by no sound or faint sound: The crowd cheered and then grew still. See Synonyms at quiet.

3. Not carbonated; lacking effervescence: a still wine.

1. Silence; quiet: the still of the night.

2. A still photograph, especially one taken from a scene of a movie and used for promotional purposes.

3. A still-life picture.

adv.

1. Without movement; motionlessly: stand still.

a. At the present time; for the present: We are still waiting.

b. Up to or at a specified time; yet: still had not made up her mind.

c. At a future time; eventually: may still see the error of his ways.

3. In increasing amount or degree; even: and still further complaints.

4. In addition; besides: had still another helping.

5. All the same; nevertheless.

v. stilled, still·ing, stills

v.tr.

1. To make motionless or unagitated: The afternoon heat stilled the breeze.

2. To make quiet; silence: "a ... cold wind that stilled even the chorus of insects" (David Campbell).

3. To allay or calm: The parents stilled their child's fears of the dark.

v.intr.

To become still.

Idiom:

still and all

Informal After taking everything into consideration; nevertheless; however: Still and all, our objective can be achieved.

[Middle English, from Old English stille; see stel- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

stillness n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

American Heritage Dictionary Products

HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

THE USAGE PANEL

AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY APP

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY BLOG

INTERESTED IN DICTIONARIES?

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

American Heritage Dictionary Products