When it comes to homophones-words with a similar pronunciation but different meanings- stationary and stationery are the most confusing.
At a glance, Stationary and Stationery look nearly alike, so confusing them might be easy for those not keen on their grammar.
Notably, with just a letter different and a similar pronunciation for stationary and stationery, the two words are entirely different.
Key Takeaways
- “Stationary” is an adjective describing something that is not moving, while “stationery” is a noun denoting writing materials and office supplies.
- To remember the difference, associate the “e” in “stationery” with “envelopes” or “education.”
- Mixing up these terms can confuse written and verbal communication, as they have distinct meanings.
Stationary vs Stationery
“Stationary” means not moving, while “stationery” refers to writing materials. It’s crucial to note the spelling difference. “Stationary” comes from Latin “statio” (standing), while “stationery” comes from “stationarius” (of a stationery shop).
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Examples:
Stationary – The vehicles were ‘stationary’, which caused a traffic jam.
Stationery – He ordered him to bring the office ‘stationery’ from the shop.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Stationary | Stationery |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Fixed, immobile, still | Writing material and all office supplies |
| Origin | Derived from the Latin word stationarius. | Developed from the stationary characteristic of middle age booksellers, that is, stationers. |
| Part of Speech | Mostly used an adjective | Mostly used a noun |
| Purpose | Describing an object or person who is not moving | The collection of all writing materials and office supplies |
| Synonyms and Antonyms | Have several synonyms and antonyms | Lack of an antonym and a synonym that collectively define all writing materials and office supplies. |
What is Stationary?
Stationary is a word that means still or not in motion. Stationary is used to describe the idea of being stable or lack of movement.
Additionally, Astronomy uses stationary to refer to a planet with no distinct motion or longitude. It can be used as an adjective and an adverb.
Example of the use of stationary as an adjective
• Tom and Mary waited stationary for the school bus to arrive.
Example of the use of stationary as an adverb
• Tom and Mary had to wait stationary for the school bus to arrive.
However, in most cases, stationary is used as an adjective.
What is Stationery?
On the other hand, stationery is a word that collectively means writing materials and other office materials. Common stationery includes writing papers, writing pads, envelops, pens, staplers, and paper punches, to name a few.
In most cases, the word stationery is used as a concrete noun. However, in some cases, the word stationery can be used as an adjective.
Example of the word stationery as a noun
• The office messenger was sent to get stationary from the bookshop.
Example of the word stationery as an adjective
• The secretary in John’s office is in charge of servicing the stationary cupboard.
Main Differences Between Stationary and Stationery
With these tips on the differences between the two words, you can avoid grammar errors while using either.
Also, learning about the differences between the two words will expand your knowledge of the two words. The following are the main differences between the words stationary and stationery.
Meaning
The word stationary is a descriptive term used to describe a person or an object that is still or not in motion. On the other hand, stationery is a collective term for all office writing materials and supplies.
Understanding the meaning of each word, you can theoretically conclude that the two names differ in whatever context and how they are used.
Origin
Notably, the word stationary is derived from the Medieval Latin word stationarius. In Latin, the word stationarius means motionless.
Surprisingly, the meaning and root of the Latin name have not changed even after being developed into an English word.
Therefore, the English name ‘stationary’ and the Latin word stationarius are equivalent in meaning, with both words describing a motionless object or person.
On the other hand, the word stationery has a different story of origin. Middle Ages had people obtain their goods from traveling peddlers.
However, booksellers and paper product sellers were different, having them sell their products from a storefront.
Defined by the stationary nature of their location, booksellers and paper product sellers were known to be ‘stationers,’ hence the name stationery for the items they sold.
Part of Speech
In most cases, the name stationary is identified in phrases as an adjective. On the other hand, the word stationery, in most cases, is identified as a concrete noun.
However, there are rare cases when the word stationary is used as an adverb and stationery is used as an adjective.
The examples earlier discussed while defining the two words can help you understand the use of the names in different forms.
Purpose
Stationary is a descriptive word for a person or object that is still or not moving. Additionally, the name stationary is used in astronomy to refer to planets that show no apparent movement.
On the other hand, the word stationery is a concrete noun adopted as a collective term for all writing materials and office supplies.
Synonyms and Antonyms
The name stationary has several synonyms that make it so different from its homophone, stationery, and several antonyms. Some synonyms for stationary include, immobile, still, constant, and motionless.
On the other hand, the antonyms to the word stationary include mutable, mobile, variable, and changing. Notably, the antonyms are just the opposite of the earlier stated synonyms.
On the other hand, the word stationery is a synonym for the whole collection of writing materials and office supplies. Also, the name lacks any antonym, unlike stationary that has several antonyms.
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
