stirless

Stirless is a rare literary adjective describing someone or something that remains completely unmoved by emotion, excitement, news, or some other external event. Its literal composition makes its meaning intuitive: stir plus the suffix-less, meaning without, produces an image of a person, voice, mood, or atmosphere that cannot be stirred. The word is especially evocative when applied to a calm expression, a flat emotional response, or a crowd that remains passive. It is more literary than ordinary alternatives such as unmoved, indifferent, or impassive, and its rarity gives it a slightly formal or archaic tone. Although it may suggest emotional numbness or passivity, it does not necessarily mean that the person is hostile or deliberately apathetic. In suitable contexts, stirless offers a concise and memorable way to describe profound stillness or a lack of visible emotional response.

Unmoved or unroused, especially by emotion, excitement, or an external event. The word is chiefly used in literary contexts to describe a person, mood, voice, or atmosphere.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does stirless come from?

Stirless was formed in English by combining stir with the suffix-less, meaning without. The base stir continues Old English styrian, meaning to move or stir, and is related to Germanic forms such as German stören and Dutch sturen. In stirless, the literal sense of being without stirring developed into the figurative sense of being unmoved or unroused.

How stirless is actually used

This is a rare, literary word rather than everyday standard English. It often carries a formal or somewhat old-fashioned tone and can sound more evocative than the plainer word unmoved.

Easily confused with stirless

What's another word for stirless?

Words and phrases paired with stirless

What's the opposite of stirless?

Rhymes with stirless