Stationarynot moving; staying in the same place means not moving, or unablenot able to do something; lacking the power or possibility to be moved. It can describe something that stays in one place, or something fixednot changing position; set firmly in place in position.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈsteɪʃəˌneri/
Easy pronunciation: STAY-shuh-NAIR-ee (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the first syllable, with secondary stress on the third syllable.
Use this pronunciation for the adjective meaning not moving; it is different from stationery, meaning writing paper.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Stationary Meaning
not moving
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: standing still; not moving
Example: The car remained stationary while we waited at the lights.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- still — A direct everyday substitute when something is not moving.
- motionless — Works well when something is completely not moving.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Stationary
Meaning 2
fixed in place; unable to be moved
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: not capable of being moved
Example: The machinery is stationary and cannot be shifted easily.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- fixed — Means securely in place and not movable in this sense.
- immovable — A strong fit when something cannot be moved.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Stationary Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- still
- motionless
fixed in place; unable to be moved
- fixed
- immovable
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- stationary is often confused with stationery, which means writing paper and office supplies.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does stationary mean?
Stationary means not moving, or unable to be moved. It can describe something that stays in one place or something fixed in position.
What is a simple synonym for stationary?
For the meaning “not moving,” simple synonyms include still and motionless. For the meaning “unable to be moved,” fixed and immovable can work.
Is stationary the same as stationery?
No. Stationary means not moving. Stationery means writing paper and related office supplies.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.