How to pronounce still
Say it like STIL. Still is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce still. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STIL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Still pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of still
American and British speakers say still in essentially the same way: /stɪl/ in the US and /stɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: STIL.
What does still mean?
- not in physical motion“the inertia of an object at rest”
- marked by absence of sound“a silent house”“soundless footsteps on the grass”
- (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves“a ribbon of sand between the angry sea and the placid bay”“the quiet waters of a lagoon”
- 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?”
- despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)“although I'm a little afraid, however I'd like to try it”“while we disliked each other, nevertheless we agreed”
- to a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons“looked sick and felt even worse”“an even (or still) more interesting problem”
- make calm or still“quiet the dragons of worry and fear”
- cause to be quiet or not talk“Please silence the children in the church!”
- lessen the intensity of or calm“The news eased my conscience”“still the fears”
Where does still come from?
(noun: Falkland Islander): Military slang, short for still a Benny, since the military had been instructed not to refer to the islanders by the derogatory term Benny (which see).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with still
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of still.
Questions about saying still
How do you pronounce still?
Say STIL. The American pronunciation is /stɪl/. In British English it is /stɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in still?
Still is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: STIL.
Do Americans and Brits say still the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /stɪl/ and the British form is /stɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.