What is stationery? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of stationery in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of stationery

stationerynoun
văn phòng phẩm
/ˈsteɪʃənri//ˈsteɪʃəneri/

Where does the word stationery come from?

The word "stationery" has a fascinating history! It originates from the 16th-century Latin phrase "statio", meaning "a place of rest" or "station". In the early 17th century, the term "stationery" emerged to describe goods or supplies that were stored and kept at a station or a fixed place, such as a shop or a warehouse. Over time, the term "stationery" came to specifically refer to office supplies like paper, ink, and writing instruments that were sold and supplied by stationers, or retailers who operated from a fixed location. Today, the term "stationery" encompasses a wide range of writing and art materials, including pens, pencils, notebooks, and more. Despite its evolution, the word "stationery" still retains its roots in the idea of a fixed location or a place where supplies are stored and distributed.

Vocabulary summary stationery

type noun

meaning office supplies

Example of vocabulary stationerynamespace

materials for writing and for using in an office, for example paper, pens and envelopes

Rachel overflowed her desk drawer with an assortment of colored pens, sticky notes, and other colorful stationery that she found irresistible.
In order to stay organized, Jack always kept a stack of plain paper, folders, and file holders at his disposal, making them easily accessible on his desk at all times.
Sarah's mother gifted her a pristine pack of marbled notebooks and fountain pens for her birthday, and she eagerly began to stockpile them in her study, dreaming of every possible scenario in which she could unleash their utility.
John rolled the sleek ballpoint pen between his fingers, admiring the textured grip and curvaceous barrel, before jotting down a quick to-do list on a fresh sheet of linen-textured paper.
The boutique stationery shop was overflowing with elegantly crafted cards and envelopes, twine-bound journals, and embossed letter sets, making it the perfect place for the stationery lover in their lives.

special paper for writing letters on