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“Stationary” or “Stationery”

stationary / stationery are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

stationary s·t·EY·sh·ah·n·EH·r·iy

  • adjectivestanding still.
  • adjectivenot capable of being moved.

stationery s·t·EY·sh·ah·n·EH·r·iy

  • nounpaper cut to an appropriate size for writing letters; usually with matching envelopes.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“stationary”

  • the nucleus appear to a stationary observer as a "gluonic wall"
  • or when the vehicle becomes stationary.
  • networks to exhibit a product-form stationary distribution.
  • Other dispensers are stationary and may have sophisticated features
  • negotiate and slammed into the stationary Juncadella.
  • racing - which typically has stationary starts and race across the
  • charge and mass passing a stationary ion of charge and much
  • better and accurate firepower on stationary and moving targets alike.
  • models having a so-called product-form stationary distribution" More recently, product-form solutions
  • Stationary engineer

“stationery”

  • such as torn edges, fancy stationery, sopping wet paper, or telegram
  • Force Divisions (42–56), London: HM Stationery Office, 1935/Uckfield: Naval & Military
  • in the stamps and postal stationery of Finland for which he
  • made from bonded marble powder, stationery items and many classic CD
  • and 75th Divisions, London: HM Stationery Office, 1937/Uckfield: Naval & Military
  • an appropriate piece of company stationery in order to look inconspicuous
  • (His Majesty's Stationery Office).
  • Sampoerna A International Cyberworld, for stationery, accessories, clothing like Dunhill, Marlboro
  • the form of stamps, stamped stationery, precanceled stamps, postage meter imprints
  • printing among other work elegant stationery.

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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