Definition of still

Short definition: The word still means continuing in the same state or not moving or changing. People use it to describe something that remains the same over time, or to show that a situation has not ended yet.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word still? The word still is one of those simple words that feels small, but actually carries a lot of meaning in everyday English. We use it when something continues, when nothing has changed, when we want to show surprise that a situation remains the same, or even when everything becomes quiet and calm. In daily life, still appears in conversations about habits, feelings, relationships, and time—often helping us describe what stays with us even as life keeps moving forward. Below, each meaning is explained in a relaxed and natural way, with explanations that sound human, not stiff like a traditional dictionary.

Form: still (adverb, adjective)
Related: stillness n.
Syllable: still

1. Continuing to be the same, even though time has passed.

   In this sense, still is used when something has not changed, even though you might expect it to. It often carries a feeling of surprise, patience, or sometimes frustration, because we are talking about a situation that keeps going longer than expected.

   He is still waiting for a reply, even though he sent the message more than a week ago.
   She still lives in the same small town, even after traveling to many different places around the world.
   They are still friends after all these years, proving that some connections really do last a lifetime.

   Synonyms: yet, even now, up to now, continuing, unchanged, as before, so far, to this day, not stopped, ongoing, remaining, the same as before
   Antonyms: no longer, not anymore, already changed, finished, ended, stopped, no more, discontinued, gone, done, in the past, over

2. Used to show surprise that something has not changed.

   Sometimes still adds an emotional tone to a sentence. It shows that the speaker expected a change, but the situation turned out to be exactly the same. This use often appears in moments of disbelief, relief, or even gentle disappointment.

   I can’t believe you are still working on the same project, it feels like you started it ages ago.
   She is still nervous before every presentation, even after years of speaking in front of large groups.
   He still calls his mother every night, and that habit never changed no matter how busy he became.

   Synonyms: even now, surprisingly unchanged, just as before, to my surprise, unexpectedly the same, amazingly unchanged, against expectation, without change, stubbornly the same, oddly unchanged, unchanged despite time, surprisingly constant
   Antonyms: finally changed, at last different, no longer the same, surprisingly different, totally changed, completely new, already altered, not as before, different now, changed at last, no longer constant, newly changed

3. Calm and not moving.

   As an adjective, still describes a state of quiet and no movement. It can describe a person who stops moving, a place that feels peaceful, or a moment when everything seems to pause for a second.

   The lake was completely still in the early morning, reflecting the sky like a perfect mirror.
   The teacher asked the class to sit still, so everyone could focus on the instructions.
   In the middle of the noisy city, they found a small park that felt surprisingly still and calm.

   Synonyms: quiet, motionless, calm, peaceful, silent, unmoving, steady, tranquil, restful, serene, settled, placid
   Antonyms: moving, noisy, active, restless, busy, loud, energetic, chaotic, shaking, running, lively, unsettled

4. Used to add emphasis, meaning “even so” or “despite that.”

   In conversations, still is often used to connect ideas. It shows that even though something happened, another feeling or action remains true. This use makes sentences feel more natural and expressive.

   He was tired after work, but he still went to the gym, because he didn’t want to break his routine.
   The movie wasn’t perfect, but I still enjoyed it, especially because of the strong characters.
   She felt nervous, yet she still decided to speak up, knowing it was important to share her thoughts.

   Synonyms: nevertheless, even so, despite that, yet, all the same, nonetheless, regardless, anyway, in spite of that, just the same, still and all, even then
   Antonyms: therefore not, because of that not, so not, as a result not, consequently not, instead, rather than, on the contrary, giving up, backing out, deciding not to, choosing against

5. Used to talk about a quiet or calm moment in time.

   Sometimes still is connected to the feeling of pause. It describes those rare moments when everything slows down— when noise fades, movement stops, and you suddenly become aware of how peaceful silence can be.

   In the still of the night, she sat by the window and thought about everything that had happened that day.
   The room fell still when the teacher walked in and everyone waited quietly.
   There was a beautiful still in the air after the rain, as if the world was taking a deep breath.

   Synonyms: silence, calm moment, quiet time, peaceful pause, hush, tranquil moment, pause in noise, moment of calm, quiet spell, peaceful break, silent moment, calm atmosphere
   Antonyms: noise, chaos, loud moment, busy time, disturbance, rush, movement, excitement, activity, commotion, unrest, turbulence