Stillness
noun /ˈstɪlnɪs/ — The quality of being completely quiet and motionless — a particular kind of absence.
Definition
The absence of movement or sound; the quality of being calm and peaceful; a state of quiet that has its own texture and presence.
Beyond the definition
Stillness is not just silence — it has weight. It's the quality of a room after something important has been said, or before something important happens. Genuine stillness is rare and, when encountered, tends to make people hold their breath.
Origin & history
From Old English stille — motionless, quiet (related to Old High German stilli: silent). The quality of being without motion — the noun form of still.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The stillness after the storm was almost louder than the storm itself.
She cultivated stillness in herself — not emptiness, but a quality of settled presence that allowed things to arrive.
In the museum at closing time, the stillness had a personality — all those objects finally at rest.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Stillness” when the meaning fits your context: The absence of movement or sound; the quality of being calm and peaceful; a state of quiet that has its own texture and presence.
Synonyms
silence, quiet, calm, tranquility, hush, peace
Antonyms
noise, motion, turbulence, agitation
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Anticipation in a quiet room
An adult sits at a piano with hands hovering just above the keys in a still, sunlit room.
The absence of sound and movement creates a textured presence of quiet. The figure’s poised hands capture the potential for music existing within this calm, peaceful state of expectation.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Stillness" mean?
Stillness is noun meaning: The quality of being completely quiet and motionless — a particular kind of absence.. The absence of movement or sound; the quality of being calm and peaceful; a state of quiet that has its own texture and presence.
Where does the word "Stillness" come from?
From Old English stille — motionless, quiet (related to Old High German stilli: silent). The quality of being without motion — the noun form of still.