static
gb/stˈætɪk/ us/stˈætɪk/
B1
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
Not moving or changing
Not moving or changing in any way.
Usage pattern:
[something] is static
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'static' with 'stationary'. 'Static' can also mean 'unchanging' in a non-physical sense, unlike 'stationary', which is mostly physical.
Synonyms
stationary (Emphasizes being still, often for physical objects.)
Antonyms
dynamic (Emphasizes movement, change, or activity.)
Collocations
static position
|static display
|static image
|static posture
Themes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The economy has been static for the past year.
- The statue remained static despite the strong wind.
- Her expression was static, revealing no emotion.
Learner examples
- The car is static in the parking lot.
- The picture on the wall is static.
- He sat static in his chair.
Noun
B1
event
2
Radio or TV interference noise
A crackling sound on a radio or TV caused by a weak signal or interference.
Usage pattern:
hear static on [a device]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'static' with 'silence', but it refers to unwanted noise, not absence of sound.
Synonyms
interference (More technical and general term for disruption of a signal.)
Antonyms
clear signal (Refers to audio or video without distortion or noise.)
Collocations
radio static
|TV static
|background static
Themes
technology
|communication
Examples
- I could barely hear the announcement over the static.
- The old TV showed nothing but static.
- Static filled the airwaves during the storm.
Learner examples
- There is static on my radio.
- I hear static on the phone.
- The TV has static when it rains.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
Without electrical current flow
Describes electricity that is not moving through wires.
Usage pattern:
static [electricity/charge]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'static electricity' with 'electric shock', but static electricity is a buildup, not continuous flow.
Synonyms
stationary (electric) (Technical usage referring specifically to electric charges at rest.)
Antonyms
current electricity (Electricity in motion through a conductor.)
Collocations
static electricity
|static charge
Themes
science
|technology
Examples
- Static electricity can cause small shocks when you touch metal.
- The experiment measured the effects of a static charge.
- Static buildup can damage computer components.
Learner examples
- Static electricity makes my hair stand up.
- You can get a shock from static charge.
- Static can hurt electronics.
Noun
informal
C1
entity
4
Criticism or complaints from others
Complaints or negative comments from people about what you do or say.
Usage pattern:
get static from [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'static' here refers to sound, but it’s figurative for criticism.
Synonyms
flak (Informal term for criticism, often more colloquial.)
Antonyms
praise (Positive feedback instead of criticism.)
Collocations
get static
|take static
Themes
emotions
|communication
Examples
- She got a lot of static from her boss for missing the deadline.
- He’s been taking static from his neighbors about the noise.
- I don’t need any more static from you today.
Learner examples
- I get static from my parents about my grades.
- He takes static from his team for being late.
- She does not like to get static from friends.
Grammar
Dictionary form
static
IPA
GB/stˈætɪk/
US/stˈætɪk/
Syllables & stress
stat - ic (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (stat)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: static
Noun
- Base: static
- Plural: static
Word family
Core family
statically
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
dynamic
adjective B1
Advanced or less common
statics
noun
Expressions
get static from someone
1/ɡˈɛt stˈætɪk fɹˈʌm sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
informal
Receive criticism from someone
To be criticized or complained at by someone.
Examples
- I got some static from my boss for being late.
- She’s getting static from her neighbors about the party noise.
static electricity
1/stˈætɪk ɪlˌɛktɹˈɪsəti/
fixed phrase
Electric charge at rest on an object’s surface
Electricity that stays in one place and can cause small shocks when you touch things.
Examples
- Static electricity can make your clothes stick together.
- You might feel a zap of static electricity after walking on carpet.