WordDream · Your AI dictionary

stagnant

English → EnglishformalInstant · from the shared dictionary
Illustration of "stagnant": Stagnant describes something, usually water or air, that is not moving or flowing, often leading to

What does "stagnant" mean?

Stagnant describes something, usually water or air, that is not moving or flowing, often leading to a stale or unpleasant state. Mentally, picture a pond covered in green algae where the water sits perfectly still, or a room where the air feels heavy and uncirculated because the windows have been shut for weeks. Beyond the physical sense, this word is frequently used metaphorically to describe situations, economies, or careers that have stopped progressing or developing. If you say a project is stagnant, you mean it is stuck in a rut and showing no signs of growth, activity, or improvement.

"stagnant" in conversation

Work frustration

Our sales figures have been stagnant for three quarters now.

Our sales figures have been stagnant for three quarters now.

I know, we really need a new strategy to jumpstart the team.

I know, we really need a new strategy to jumpstart the team.

Used here to describe a lack of growth in business metrics.

Home maintenance

The water in the birdbath is stagnant, we should dump it out.

The water in the birdbath is stagnant, we should dump it out.

Is that why there are so many mosquitoes around it?

Is that why there are so many mosquitoes around it?

Used here to describe still, uncirculated water.

"stagnant" in a sentence

  1. The pond water became stagnant during the hot summer.

    The pond water became stagnant during the hot summer.

  2. Without innovation, the company's growth remained stagnant for years.

    Without innovation, the company's growth remained stagnant for years.

  3. He felt his career was becoming stagnant, so he decided to pursue a new certification.

    He felt his career was becoming stagnant, so he decided to pursue a new certification.

Not another dictionary

An AI-native multilingual dictionary: decode the words other dictionaries can't handle.

WordDream explains every word the way a teacher would, with real-life scenes, graded examples, audio and a picture. It also covers what traditional dictionaries miss: names, places, proper nouns, internet slang, and words that don't translate.

And it isn't just English. Look up words in any language, keep a multilingual Notebook, and turn your saved words into stories with Spin a yarn.

Try WordDream: Look up a wordOpen “stagnant” in WordDream

Free account · sign in to use features

More everyday & curious words

Browse the whole set in Everyday & Curious Words.

Explained by WordDream, an AI-native multilingual dictionary.