static
static — adjective
1. staying in the same place without physical movement, or remaining unchanged over
staying in the same place without physical movement, or remaining unchanged over a period of time
Mira's weight has stayed static for the past three years despite her new exercise routine.
collocation: stay static / remain static
House prices in the neighborhood remained static throughout the economic downturn.
The patient's condition is still static, with no change since the operation last week.
The mountain lake was so static that the surface reflected the trees like a mirror.
Once an industry becomes static, it quickly loses ground to more innovative competitors.
- stationary
focuses on physical stillness at a point in space; static also covers abstract lack of change
- unchanged
describes the outcome of remaining the same; static can describe a state without implying a past reference
- stagnant
carries a negative connotation of unhealthy stillness; static is neutral
- dynamic
describes active change or movement, the direct opposite of static
2. describes a website that serves the same pre-built pages to every visitor, regar
describes a website that serves the same pre-built pages to every visitor, regardless of who they are or when they visit
The restaurant's static website only lists its address, menu, and opening hours.
contrast: static website vs dynamic website
Christopher built a static site for his photography portfolio using basic HTML and CSS.
Unlike dynamic pages, a static website delivers the same HTML file to every visitor.
The university switched its course listings from a static page to a live database system.
- fixed
generic term for anything that does not change; static is the technical term in web contexts
- dynamic
a dynamic website changes its content based on user input or other variables
用法筆記
Commonly contrasted with dynamic website, which adjusts content based on the user's behavior or preferences.
3. relating to electric charges that build up on the surface of objects and remain
relating to electric charges that build up on the surface of objects and remain in place rather than flowing as a current
Ayana felt a small shock from static electricity when she touched the metal car door.
concrete effect: shock from static electricity
The static charge on the plastic comb made Nellie's hair stand straight up.
Dry winter air makes static electricity much more noticeable around the house.
Cyrus wears rubber-soled shoes at work to avoid damaging equipment with static discharge.
- electrostatic
the technical adjective; static is the shortened, everyday form
- current
current electricity flows through a circuit; static electricity stays on the surface
用法筆記
Often used attributively before 'charge' or 'electricity' — a 'static charge', 'static electricity'.
常見錯誤
4. relating to the force exerted by weight when nothing is moving, often used in en
relating to the force exerted by weight when nothing is moving, often used in engineering to describe loads that do not produce motion
Engineers calculated the static load that the bridge's concrete pillars could support.
collocation: static load
A static weight of twelve tons pressed down on the testing platform overnight.
The building's static load includes the weight of all walls, floors, and the roof itself.
Static stress on the cable increased as each new section of the bridge was added.
- dead
as in 'dead load' — the permanent stationary weight of a structure itself; interchangeable with static in engineering
- dynamic
a dynamic load involves movement or changing forces, such as wind or moving vehicles
用法筆記
Most common in the phrases 'static load' and 'static weight'. Contrasts with 'dynamic load', which includes forces from movement such as wind or traffic.
5. used in compound scientific and medical terms to indicate a relationship to a pa
used in compound scientific and medical terms to indicate a relationship to a particular position, condition, or balanced state — for example, homeostatic (relating to internal balance) or thermostatic (relating to temperature control)
The body's homeostatic systems keep internal temperature and blood sugar within a narrow range.
example compound: homeostatic = relating to internal balance
A thermostatic valve adjusts hot water flow to keep the shower at a steady temperature.
Scientists study the static equilibrium of ecosystems after a major disturbance.
The geostatic pressure of the surrounding rock kept the deep mine tunnel from collapsing.
用法筆記
This is not a standalone English adjective but a combining form (like a suffix) used in compound words borrowed from or created in scientific Latin. The core idea is 'relating to a position or state'.
6. used in compound medical terms to describe something that stops or slows the gro
used in compound medical terms to describe something that stops or slows the growth of microorganisms without necessarily killing them — for example, bacteriostatic (preventing bacteria from multiplying)
The doctor prescribed a bacteriostatic antibiotic to stop the infection from spreading.
example compound: bacteriostatic = stops bacterial growth
Bacteriostatic compounds produced by certain fungi help them outcompete neighboring bacteria in the soil.
compound form: bacteriostatic = growth-inhibiting against bacteria
A fungistatic cream can prevent athlete's foot from getting worse between treatments.
Bacteriostatic agents are often preferred when the patient's immune system is already weak.
- inhibitory
broader term that covers both static (prevents growth) and cidal (kills) effects
- cidal
as in bactericidal — kills microorganisms rather than just stopping their growth
用法筆記
This combining form appears in words like 'bacteriostatic' (stops bacteria from multiplying) and 'fungistatic' (stops fungal growth). The opposite idea is '-cidal' (kills outright, as in 'bactericidal').
static — noun
1. a crackling, hissing, or buzzing noise that you hear from a radio, television, o
a crackling, hissing, or buzzing noise that you hear from a radio, television, or phone when electrical activity in the atmosphere disrupts the signal
The radio signal broke up into static as the car entered the long mountain tunnel.
Amihan tried to tune the old television, but only gray static appeared on the screen.
visual static: gray screen noise on TV
During the thunderstorm, the phone call was drowned out by bursts of loud static.
Jack moved the radio closer to the window to cut down the static.
- interference
broader term that includes static but also any unwanted signal disruption
- noise
generic term for unwanted sound; static specifically refers to crackling from electrical causes
用法筆記
Cannot be counted — 'a static' is wrong. Say 'some static', 'a burst of static', or 'a lot of static'.
常見錯誤
2. an electric charge that collects across the outer layer of materials like plasti
an electric charge that collects across the outer layer of materials like plastic, wool, or hair when friction is applied between them
Shanti rubbed the balloon against her sweater to create static on its surface.
collocation: create static
Too much static from the dry air caused the printer paper to stick together.
A humidifier in the office helps reduce the static on the computer keyboard.
Nicholas rubbed his cat's fur and watched the static make the hairs stand apart.
- static electricity
the full term; 'static' alone is the shortened everyday form
用法筆記
frequently used without an article ('static on the surface', 'building up static'). The countable form 'a static' is nonstandard.
常見錯誤
3. strong expressions of opposition, anger, or disapproval directed at someone or s
strong expressions of opposition, anger, or disapproval directed at someone or something
The mayor caught a lot of static from residents after announcing the tax increase.
informal: catch static = receive criticism
Diego's proposal received so much static from the board that he decided to withdraw it.
Whenever the subject of layoffs comes up, management expects static from the union.
The new coach took a lot of static from fans after six straight losses.
- praise
expression of approval or admiration
用法筆記
Common in the phrase 'catch/get static (from someone)'. This informal sense originated in US slang of the 1960s–70s and is still primarily American.