Stationary vs Stationery | Difference & Meaning
Stationary (spelled with an “a”) describes something that is “not moving,” while stationery (spelled with an “e”) means “writing materials” such as pens and paper.
So, if you want to write a letter, buy some stationery, but if you want to save on gas, turn off your engine whenever your car is stationary.
| Stationary in a sentence | Stationery in a sentence |
|---|---|
| The dog ran across the street between the stationary cars at the traffic lights. | She wrote the letter on the paper from her personalized stationery set. |
| She thought she could see a dark, stationary figure standing under the tree. | He found the pen in a convenience store that had a section selling greeting cards and stationery. |
| One man remained stationary while the rest of the crowd dispersed. | They are having a sale on stationery and business cards this weekend. |
Stationary or stationery
Stationary is an adjective that means “not moving” or “in a fixed position,” but stationery is an uncountable noun meaning “writing materials” such as paper and pens. A “stationary bike” is a bicycle for exercising that doesn’t move when you pedal it, for example, while a “stationery store” sells envelopes.
The meanings and spellings of stationary and stationery are the same in all varieties of English (British English, Canadian English, Australian English etc.).
“Stationary” means “at rest” and is spelled with an “a” like the first letter of “at rest,” while “stationery” includes “envelopes” and is spelled with an “e” like the first letter of “envelopes.”
Stationary definition
The adjective stationary means “not moving” or “not changing.”
The doctor recommended exercising on a stationary bike after my knee operation.
Population growth has remained stationary over the past decade.
Stationery definition
The noun stationery refers to writing materials such as paper, envelopes, and pens. In some contexts, it refers specifically to paper items featuring the name of a company or organization (e.g., letter paper and business cards).
We’re running low on envelopes. Can you add them to the stationery order, please?
Please use the company’s official stationery for all written correspondence.
Frequently asked questions about stationary vs stationery
- What is a synonym for stationary?
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Synonyms for the adjective stationary include:
- Immobile
- Motionless
- Still
- At rest
- At a standstill
If you’re unsure whether to spell it stationary or stationery, note that “stationery” means “writing supplies.”
QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you to find the best synonym for “stationary” in your specific context.
- What is a synonym for stationery?
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Synonyms for the noun stationery include
- Writing materials
- Letterhead
- Writing paper
- Paper and pens
If you’re not sure whether to spell it stationery or stationary, bear in mind that “stationary” is an adjective meaning “not moving.”
Have you tried out QuillBot’s free Paraphraser? It can help you to find the best synonym for “stationery” in your specific context.
