Stationery vs. Stationary

Have you ever been puzzled over whether to write stationery or stationary? These two words might sound the same, but their meanings are entirely different. Confusing them is a common mistake, but once you understand their definitions and usage, you'll never mix them up again.

Let’s dive into the meanings, examples, and tricks to remember which is which.

Stationery

Definition:
Stationery refers to writing materials and office supplies, such as paper, envelopes, pens, writing paper and notepads. It’s the elegant stack of letterhead paper or the beautifully designed greeting cards in your drawer.

Examples of Stationery Usage:

• “She bought new stationery for her pen pal letters.”
• “The party invitations were printed on luxurious stationery.”
• “I love shopping for pens and other stationery supplies.”

Stationary

Definition:
Stationary means not moving or staying in one place. It’s often used to describe something that remains fixed, such as a parked car or a statue.

Examples of Stationary Usage:

• “The bike remained stationary as the rider adjusted the seat.”
• “The helicopter hovered stationary in the sky.”
• “He set up a stationary camera to capture the sunset.”

How to Remember the Difference

Here’s a handy trick to differentiate between the two:

• Stationery with an ‘e’: Think of the ‘e’ as standing for envelopes, a common item in stationery.
• Stationary with an ‘a’: Think of the ‘a’ as standing for at rest, which aligns with its meaning of not moving.

A simple sentence to remember:
"The stationery store is stationary on Main Street."

Both stationery and stationary originate from the same root: the Latin word stationarius, which referred to someone or something fixed in place. Over time, the meanings diverged—stationary retained its sense of immobility, while stationery evolved to describe the goods sold by stationers, who were stationary traders in medieval times.

Though they sound identical, stationery and stationary have distinct meanings that are easy to keep straight with a little practice. The next time you write about your new notebook or a parked car, you’ll know exactly which word to use.

So, whether you're shopping for luxury stationery or describing something stationary, you’re now equipped to use these words confidently and correctly!

Making Meadows x