static

Everyday

1. Static means not moving or not changing: a static picture, prices stayed static. tree →
2. Static electricity is an electric charge that builds up on things when they rub together, making hair stand up or giving a small shock. tree →
3. (noun) Static is a crackling noise on a radio or TV, or fuzzy dots on a screen. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, pupils rub a balloon on hair or a jumper to make static electricity, then make it stick to a wall or lift bits of paper; they learn that like charges push apart and opposite charges pull together; lightning is a giant static spark. In maths and graphs, a static number does not change. In PE, «static stretches» are held still. Phrases: «static electricity», «static shock», «static on the radio», «stay static».

Examples

• Rub the balloon on your jumper to make static electricity. tree →
• I got a static shock when I touched the car door. tree →
• My hair stood up because of static. tree →
• The radio only played static in the tunnel. tree →
• The number of pupils stayed static all year. tree →
• We did static stretches after the race. tree →
• Lightning is a huge spark of static electricity. tree →

Note

Opposite of «dynamic» or «moving». The noun «static» (noise) is uncountable. Static shocks are usually harmless; lightning is not. Do not mix up with «statistic» (a number fact) or «statue».