WordValestill life
a work depicting inanimate objects
In more detail
1. (noun) a painting, drawing, or photograph of objects such as flowers, fruit, or bottles that do not move
2. (noun) the artistic style or genre of creating such works
Examples
- 1. She painted a still life with apples and a vase of flowers.
- 2. Still life was a popular genre during the Dutch Golden Age.
How to use still life
Still life refers to both the visual representation and the genre itself, depicting stationary objects like fruit, flowers, or household items. It emphasizes the arrangement, lighting, and formal qualities of inanimate subjects rather than narrative or movement. The term is used in both academic and casual art discussions to distinguish this genre from portraiture, landscape, or figure painting.
Common phrases
- still life painting
- still life drawing
- still life composition
- still life subject
- paint a still life
- arrange a still life
Synonyms
still-life painting · arrangement of objects · inanimate object composition
Word family
still-life (adjective, as in 'still-life painter') · still-life artist
A common mistake
Learners sometimes hyphenate it inconsistently or treat 'still life' as a verb when it functions only as a noun (e.g., 'to still life' is incorrect; use 'to paint a still life' instead).
Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.
Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD