stillness
gb/stˈɪlnəs/ us/stˈɪlnəs/
B2
English
~ 5400
mozdulatlanság, csend, lelki nyugalom, nyugalom, belső béke, belső nyugalom, derű
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
the stillness of [something]
The stillness of the lake made the mountain reflections look like a painting.
A tó mozdulatlansága miatt a hegyek tükörképe olyan volt, mint egy festmény.
After the wind stopped, an eerie stillness settled over the forest.
Miután elállt a szél, kísérteties mozdulatlanság telepedett az erdőre.
He held the yoga pose in complete stillness for several minutes.
The city streets, usually noisy and crowded, lay in an unnatural stillness after the storm.
The baby finally fell into a peaceful stillness in her crib.
Learner examples
The room was in complete stillness.
A szobában teljes mozdulatlanság volt.
We enjoyed the stillness of the early morning.
Élveztük a kora reggeli mozdulatlanságot.
The cat watched the bird in perfect stillness.
After the dance, there was stillness on the stage.
The snow brought a strange stillness to the town.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "stillness" with the adverb "still" meaning "continuing" (e.g., *I stillness live here* instead of *I still live here*). "Stillness" is a noun and refers to a state with no movement.
Meaning
complete lack of movement
Collocations
perfect stillness
|absolute stillness
|the stillness of the room
|in the stillness
|frozen in stillness
|sudden stillness
Synonyms
motionlessness (More formal and technical; focuses only on the lack of movement, not on atmosphere.)
|
immobility (Often used for bodies or objects that cannot move, slightly more medical or technical.)
Antonyms
movement (General opposite, highlighting that things are actively moving rather than still.)
|
activity (Emphasizes a busy or physically active scene instead of a motionless one.)
Themes
nature
|daily life
|description
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A state where nothing is moving at all.
The state of being completely motionless, with no physical movement in a person, object, or place.
NOUN
B2
2
csend
A2
Usage pattern:
in the stillness of [a time/place]
In the stillness of the night, she could hear the distant train.
Az éjszaka csendjében hallotta a távoli vonat hangját.
A sudden scream shattered the stillness of the quiet street.
Egy hirtelen sikoly megtörte a csendes utca csendjét.
We sat together in a comfortable stillness, listening to nothing at all.
The church was filled with a respectful stillness before the service began.
He woke to the strange stillness of the house, realizing everyone had already left.
Learner examples
We enjoyed the stillness of the library.
Élveztük a könyvtár csendjét.
In the stillness of the morning, I heard birds sing.
A reggel csendjében hallottam a madarak énekét.
A loud car broke the stillness of the night.
There was a deep stillness in the old church.
She liked the stillness in her room after midnight.
Common mistake:
Learners may use "still" instead of "stillness" to talk about quiet (e.g., *I like the still of the night*). The correct noun for this meaning is "stillness" or "silence."
Meaning
complete quiet or silence
Collocations
deep stillness
|the stillness of the night
|in the stillness
|break the stillness
|the stillness of the house
|listening to the stillness
Synonyms
silence (More common and general; does not suggest the same atmospheric or poetic feel that "stillness" often has.)
|
quiet (More informal and flexible; can describe low sound levels without being completely silent.)
Antonyms
noise (Highlights the presence of sound where there was previously quiet stillness.)
|
clamor (Suggests loud, confused noise, strongly contrasting with calm stillness.)
Themes
daily life
|sound
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A state where everything is very quiet and there is almost no sound.
The state of complete quiet, with no noticeable sound in an environment.
NOUN
C1
3
Usage pattern:
find stillness in [activity/situation]
Meditation helps her return to a place of stillness during stressful days.
A meditáció segít neki, hogy stresszes napokon visszataláljon a belső nyugalomhoz.
He found a rare moment of stillness before the big presentation.
A fontos prezentáció előtt jutott neki egy ritka pillanatnyi nyugalom.
The retreat focused on helping people discover inner stillness.
In the middle of the chaos, she carried a quiet stillness within her.
Yoga gives him a sense of stillness that lasts all day.
Learner examples
He sat in stillness and tried to relax.
Csendes nyugalomban ült, és próbált ellazulni.
She wants more stillness in her busy life.
Több nyugalomra vágyik zsúfolt életében.
Meditation can bring stillness to your mind.
The music gave her a feeling of stillness.
They enjoyed a moment of stillness together.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "stillness" is only physical. In this sense, it is abstract and emotional, closer to words like "peace" or "calm." Do not use it to describe a person’s personality (say "He is calm," not *"He is stillness"*).
Meaning
inner calm or peace
Collocations
inner stillness
|a moment of stillness
|find stillness
|cultivate stillness
|sit in stillness
|practice stillness
Synonyms
serenity (A bit more formal and often used for a deep, lasting calm; can sound more poetic or spiritual.)
|
tranquility (Emphasizes gentle calm; often used for both places and states of mind.)
Antonyms
restlessness (Highlights the inability to relax or be calm, the opposite of inner stillness.)
|
anxiety (Emotional opposite, stressing nervous worry rather than calm peace.)
Themes
emotions
|mental health
|spirituality
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A feeling of being very calm and quiet inside, without stress or strong emotions.
A calm, peaceful state of mind or emotion, especially in contrast to stress, busyness, or strong feelings.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stillness
IPA
GB/stˈɪlnəs/
US/stˈɪlnəs/
Syllables & stress
still - ness (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (still)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: stillness
- Plural: stillness
Word family
Expressions
a moment of stillness
1/ə mˈoʊmənt əv stˈɪlnəs/
fixed phrase
a short time of calm stillness
A short time when everything is quiet and calm, or when you feel very calm inside.
Examples
- She enjoyed a moment of stillness before the children woke up.
- The crowd fell into a moment of stillness before cheering.
- He takes a moment of stillness each morning to clear his mind.
break the stillness
1/bɹˈeɪk ðə stˈɪlnəs/
fixed phrase
disturb a quiet, still state
To make a noise or movement so that a very quiet and still place is not quiet or still anymore.
Examples
- A distant siren broke the stillness of the early morning.
- Her sudden laugh broke the stillness in the room.
- The call of an owl broke the stillness of the forest.
in the stillness of the night
1/ˈɪn ðə stˈɪlnəs əv ðə nˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
literary
during a very quiet night
At a time in the night when everything is very quiet and nothing is moving.
Examples
- In the stillness of the night, she finally began to write her novel.
- He heard a dog bark in the stillness of the night.
- In the stillness of the night, the ticking clock sounded very loud.