Silent vs. Still: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 29, 2023
Silent implies the absence of sound or noise, while still refers to the absence of motion or activity.
Key Differences
Silent primarily refers to the absence or lack of sound. It's often used to describe situations, environments, or individuals that are not making noise. In a library, for example, one is expected to be silent. Still, in contrast, denotes a state of motionlessness or lack of movement. It can apply to objects, people, or scenes. A photograph captures a moment in time, making everything appear still.
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Dec 29, 2023
In film or literature, a character described as silent might not speak or could be in a quiet environment. This can convey mystery, contemplation, or isolation. Stillness, on the other hand, can be used to describe a scene or setting that is calm, unmoving, or undisturbed, often creating a sense of peace or tension.
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Dec 29, 2023
Silence can also be metaphorical, referring to the absence of communication or expression, like the silence of a government on a pressing issue. Stillness can similarly be metaphorical but tends to focus on the lack of change or progress, such as the stillness of life in a stagnant town.
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Technologically, silent modes on devices indicate they will operate without making noise, useful in settings where noise is disruptive. Still is used in photography and cinematography to describe a single, motionless image, as opposed to a moving sequence.
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Silent can have a negative connotation in contexts where speaking out is expected or valued, like being silent on social issues. Still can imply steadiness or stability, but it might also suggest stagnation or lack of progress in certain contexts, like a still economy.
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Comparison Chart
Usage in Arts
Silent films, characters not speaking.
Still life in painting, motionless scenes.
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Metaphorical Use
Lack of communication or expression.
Lack of change or progress.
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Technological Context
Silent mode on devices.
Still images in photography or cinematography.
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Connotation
Can be negative when silence is inappropriate.
Can suggest stability or stagnation.
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Silent and Still Definitions
Silent
Refraining from speech or temporarily speechless.
She remained silent during the heated debate.
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Still
In photography, a single, motionless image.
The movie's stills were displayed in the gallery.
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Silent
Not spoken; implied or understood without being stated.
His silent approval was evident through his nod.
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Still
Not moving or in motion
The patient must be still for the doctor to work.
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Silent
(In film) having no accompanying soundtrack.
The era of silent movies captivated audiences with visual storytelling.
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Still
Free from disturbance, agitation, or commotion
The still waters of the lake.
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Still
Of or relating to a single or static photograph as opposed to a movie.
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Still
Making or characterized by no sound or faint sound
The crowd cheered and then grew still.
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Silent
Not saying anything about a particular matter; making no mention
The poem is silent on the reason for the speaker's sadness.
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Still
A still photograph, especially one taken from a scene of a movie and used for promotional purposes.
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Silent
Having no spoken dialogue and usually no soundtrack. Used of a film.
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Silent
(Linguistics) Having no phonetic value; unpronounced
The silent b in subtle.
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Still
An apparatus for distilling liquids, such as alcohols, consisting of a vessel in which the substance is vaporized by heat and a cooling device in which the vapor is condensed.
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Silent
Not speaking; indisposed to talk; speechless; mute; taciturn; not loquacious; not talkative.
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Silent
(pronunciation) Not pronounced; having no sound; quiescent.
The e is silent in fable.
Silent letters can make some words difficult to spell.
The “l” in the English word "salmon" is silent.
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Silent
(technology) With the sound turned off; usually on silent or in silent mode.
My phone was on silent.
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Still
To make motionless or unagitated
The afternoon heat stilled the breeze.
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Still
To make quiet; silence
"a ... cold wind that stilled even the chorus of insects" (David Campbell).
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Silent
Of an edit or change to a text, not explicitly acknowledged.
Silent revisions; a silent emendation
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Silent
(genetics) Not implying significant modifications which would affect a peptide sequence.
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Still
(not comparable) Having the same stated quality continuously from a past time
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Silent
Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly quiet.
How silent is this town!
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Silent
Not speaking; indisposed to talk; speechless; mute; taciturn; not loquacious; not talkative.
Ulysses, adds he, was the most eloquent and most silent of men.
This new-created world, whereof in hellFame is not silent.
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Silent
Keeping at rest; inactive; calm; undisturbed; as, the wind is silent.
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Still
(aspect) Up to a time, as in the preceding time.
Is it still raining?
It was still raining five minutes ago.
We've seen most of the sights, but we are still visiting the museum.
I’m still not wise enough to answer that.
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Silent
Not pronounced; having no sound; quiescent; as, e is silent in "fable."
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Still
(degree) To an even greater degree. Used to modify comparative adjectives or adverbs.
Tom is tall; Dick is taller; Harry is still taller / Harry is taller still.
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Silent
Having no effect; not operating; inefficient.
Cause . . . silent, virtueless, and dead.
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Still
(conjunctive) Nevertheless.
I’m not hungry, but I’ll still manage to find room for dessert.
Yeah, but still...
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Silent
Marked by absence of sound;
A silent house
Soundless footsteps on the grass
The night was still
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Silent
Failing to speak or communicate etc when expected to;
The witness remained silent
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Silent
Indicated by necessary connotation though not expressed directly;
Gave silent consent
A tacit agreement
The understood provisos of a custody agreement
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Silent
Not made to sound;
The silent `h' at the beginning of `honor'
In French certain letters are often unsounded
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Silent
Having a frequency below or above the range of human audibility;
A silent dog whistle
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Silent
Not making or accompanied by any sound.
The forest was eerily silent at night.
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Still
(catering) The area in a restaurant used to make tea and coffee, separate from the main kitchen.
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Silent
Not emitting or having a tendency to emit sound.
The silent alarm alerted only the security team.
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Still
To expel spirit from by heat, or to evaporate and condense in a refrigeratory; to distill.
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Still
Uttering no sound; silent; as, the audience is still; the animals are still.
The sea that roared at thy command,At thy command was still.
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Still
Not disturbed by noise or agitation; quiet; calm; as, a still evening; a still atmosphere.
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Still
A vessel, boiler, or copper used in the distillation of liquids; specifically, one used for the distillation of alcoholic liquors; a retort. The name is sometimes applied to the whole apparatus used in in vaporization and condensation.
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Still
To this time; until and during the time now present; now no less than before; yet.
It hath been anciently reported, and is still received.
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Still
In continuation by successive or repeated acts; always; ever; constantly; uniformly.
The desire of fame betrays an ambitious man into indecencies that lessen his reputation; he is still afraid lest any of his actions should be thrown away in private.
Chemists would be rich if they could still do in great quantities what they have sometimes done in little.
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Still
In an increasing or additional degree; even more; - much used with comparatives.
The guilt being great, the fear doth still exceed.
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Still
Notwithstanding what has been said or done; in spite of what has occured; nevertheless; - sometimes used as a conjunction. See Synonym of But.
As sunshine, broken in the rill,Though turned astray, is sunshine still.
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Still
After that; after what is stated.
In the primitive church, such as by fear being compelled to sacrifice to strange gods, after repented, and kept still the office of preaching the gospel.
And like the watchful minutes to the hour,Still and anon cheered up the heavy time.
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Still
To stop, as motion or agitation; to cause to become quiet, or comparatively quiet; to check the agitation of; as, to still the raging sea.
He having a full sway over the water, had power to still and compose it, as well as to move and disturb it.
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Still
To stop, as noise; to silence.
With his name the mothers still their babies.
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Still
To appease; to calm; to quiet, as tumult, agitation, or excitement; as, to still the passions.
Toil that would, at least, have stilled an unquiet impulse in me.
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Still
To expel spirit from by heat, or to evaporate and condense in a refrigeratory; to distill.
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Still
A static photograph (especially one taken from a movie and used for advertising purposes);
He wanted some stills for a magazine ad
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Still
An apparatus used for the distillation of liquids; consists of a vessel in which a substance is vaporized by heat and a condenser where the vapor is condensed
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Still
Cause to be quiet or not talk;
Please silence the children in the church!
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Still
Lessen the intensity of or calm;
The news eased my conscience
Still the fears
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Still
Marked by absence of sound;
A silent house
Soundless footsteps on the grass
The night was still
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Still
Free from disturbance;
A ribbon of sand between the angry sea and the placid bay
The quiet waters of a lagoon
A lake of tranquil blue water reflecting a tranquil blue sky
A smooth channel crossing
Scarcely a ripple on the still water
Unruffled water
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Still
Used of pictures; of a single or static photograph not presented so as to create the illusion of motion; or representing objects not capable of motion;
A still photograph
Cezanne's still life of apples
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Still
With reference to action or condition; without change, interruption, or cessation;
It's still warm outside
Will you still love me when we're old and grey?
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Still
Despite anything to the contrary (usually following a concession);
Although I'm a little afraid, however I'd like to try it
While we disliked each other, nevertheless we agreed
He was a stern yet fair master
Granted that it is dangerous, all the same I still want to go
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Still
To a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons;
Looked sick and felt even worse
An even (or still) more interesting problem
Still another problem must be solved
A yet sadder tale
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Still
Without moving or making a sound;
He sat still as a statue
Time stood still
They waited stock-still outside the door
He couldn't hold still any longer
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Oct 19, 2023
Still
Not moving; stationary.
The cat was still, watching the birds intently.
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Dec 29, 2023
Still
Calm, tranquil, without turmoil or disturbance.
The lake was still in the early morning light.
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Still
Continuing until the present time; even now.
Years later, she still remembered her first day at school.
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Still
To make or become still; quieten.
He motioned with his hand to still the crowd.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does still mean in the context of movement?
Without motion; stationary.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can silent refer to a person not speaking?
Yes, it can mean not talking or being speechless.
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Dec 29, 2023
Does silent have a negative connotation?
Sometimes, especially when speaking up is expected.
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What is a still life painting?
Art depicting inanimate, motionless subjects.
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Are silent films without sound?
Yes, they have no spoken dialogue or soundtrack.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is there a silent mode on devices?
Yes, where the device operates without sound.
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Dec 29, 2023
Does silent mean completely noiseless?
Typically, but it can also mean very quiet.
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Dec 29, 2023
Does still have different meanings in different contexts?
Yes, it can mean calm, motionless, or continuous.
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How is still used in a sentence to mean yet?
"She is still working on the project."
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Does still mean unchanging?
In some contexts, it indicates no change or progress.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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