Reading Theme:
Still: Meanings, Examples, and Usage Tips (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：even now (still)
still
/stɪl/
adv., adj.
Used to say that something is continuing, from the past until now, without changing or stopping.
even now
➕
/ˈiːvən naʊ/
adv., adj.
Indicates that a situation or action has not changed from the past up to the present moment and is expected to continue.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'stille', meaning calm or motionless; related to German 'still' and Dutch 'stil'.
💡 Mnemonic
A still lake is motionless; a still child is waiting. Both meanings share the idea of 'no change'.
📖 Example
Even though the little girl was losing the race, she still kept running as fast as she could.
Even though the little girl was losing the race, she continued running as fast as she could.
🔗 Collocations
still waiting – continuing to wait without change
still possible – remaining possible despite circumstances
still love – continue to love after time
🔄 Synonyms
yet (adv.) – Used in negative or interrogative contexts to mean 'up to now'.
continually (adv.) – In a way that happens without interruption.
even now (adv.) – At this very moment, despite what might be expected.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'still' has roots in Proto-Germanic *stilli-, conveying the idea of being fixed or unmoving. Its adverbial sense of 'continuing' developed in Middle English, suggesting a state that persists unchanged. In modern English, it is one of the most common words for expressing continuity.
Meaning 2：motionless (still)
still
/stɪl/
adv., adj.
Completely without movement or sound, like something frozen in time.
motionless
➕
/ˈmoʊʃənləs/
adv., adj.
Describes a state of complete absence of movement or sound, as if frozen in place.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The surface of the lake was perfectly still in the early morning, like a giant mirror reflecting the sky.
The surface of the lake was perfectly motionless in the early morning, like a giant mirror reflecting the sky.
🔗 Collocations
still water – water that is not flowing or moving
still air – air with no wind or breeze
stay still – remain without moving
🔄 Synonyms
motionless (adj.) – Not moving; completely stationary.
calm (adj.) – Free from disturbance or violent movement.
static (adj.) – Lacking motion, change, or progress.
🚫 Antonyms
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