Stoic
adjective
A person who doesn't show their feelings or reactions to things that happen to them.
Despite the hardships he faced, he remained stoic.
Often appears as...
- remain stoic
- be stoic
noun
A person who accepts what happens without complaining or showing emotion.
In the face of the disaster, he was a stoic, accepting his fate without complaining.
Often appears as...
- a true stoic
- become a stoic
noun
A member of an ancient philosophical school in Greece that taught that virtue, the highest good, is based on knowledge, and that emotions should be suppressed.
The Stoics taught that understanding the world and our place in it can lead to peace of mind and happiness.
Often appears as...
- ancient stoic
- stoic philosophy
Usage tips
Historical
adjective
A person who doesn't show their feelings or reactions to things that happen to them.
Despite the hardships he faced, he remained stoic.
Often appears as...
- remain stoic
- be stoic
noun
A person who accepts what happens without complaining or showing emotion.
In the face of the disaster, he was a stoic, accepting his fate without complaining.
Often appears as...
- a true stoic
- become a stoic
noun
A member of an ancient philosophical school in Greece that taught that virtue, the highest good, is based on knowledge, and that emotions should be suppressed.
The Stoics taught that understanding the world and our place in it can lead to peace of mind and happiness.
Often appears as...
- ancient stoic
- stoic philosophy
Usage tips
Historical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Control
While 'stoic' indicates control over emotions, it doesn't necessarily mean absence of feelings.
Even though she was excited about the surprise party, she kept a stoic expression.
Pro Tip 2/3Perception of Strength
'Stoic' often implies inner strength, as showing little reaction can be seen as a sign of fortitude.
The stoic firefighter calmly saved lives, unaffected by the chaos around him.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Unfeeling
Someone stoic isn't cold-hearted; they simply manage their reactions in a reserved way.
Despite her stoic demeanor, she is very compassionate towards her students.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Control
While 'stoic' indicates control over emotions, it doesn't necessarily mean absence of feelings.
Even though she was excited about the surprise party, she kept a stoic expression.
Pro Tip 2/3Perception of Strength
'Stoic' often implies inner strength, as showing little reaction can be seen as a sign of fortitude.
The stoic firefighter calmly saved lives, unaffected by the chaos around him.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Unfeeling
Someone stoic isn't cold-hearted; they simply manage their reactions in a reserved way.
Despite her stoic demeanor, she is very compassionate towards her students.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Control
While 'stoic' indicates control over emotions, it doesn't necessarily mean absence of feelings.
Even though she was excited about the surprise party, she kept a stoic expression.
Pro Tip 2/3Perception of Strength
'Stoic' often implies inner strength, as showing little reaction can be seen as a sign of fortitude.
The stoic firefighter calmly saved lives, unaffected by the chaos around him.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Unfeeling
Someone stoic isn't cold-hearted; they simply manage their reactions in a reserved way.
Despite her stoic demeanor, she is very compassionate towards her students.
Never forget "Stoic"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Scott Fraser: The...
At this point, I became a little concerned. This judge is someone you'd never want to play poker with. He was totally stoic. I couldn't see a twitch of his eyebrow. I couldn't see the slightest bend of his head. I had no sense of how he was reacting to this,
Video examples
Why Bittersweet Emotions...
You know, there's the stoic idea of, they would call it memento mori, to remember all the time that we could die tomorrow, we don't know what's going to happen. And that's a way of both calming us down and also making life feel a little more precious.
Video examples
The myth of the original...
and speak with his only companion— a stoic bull who listened patiently to the cowherd’s sorrows. But upon seeing the weaver’s beauty, the cowherd forgot his routine. While he longed to introduce himself, his lonely lifestyle had made him timid.
Video examples
You aren't at the mercy...
We have to make them meaningful. A human or something else has to connect them to the context, and that makes them meaningful. That's how we know that a smile might mean sadness and a cry might mean happiness, and a stoic, still face might mean
Video examples
The incredible history...
parts of North America and even China during the previous Shang and Zhou dynasties. And today, people travel from all over the world to see these stoic soldiers silently awaiting their battle orders for centuries to come.
Video examples
The philosophy of...
Today, we colloquially use the word stoic to mean someone who remains calm under pressure and avoids emotional extremes. But while this captures important aspects of Stoicism,
Video examples
A librarian's case...
I am lackadaisical, I dawdle and I dillydally. I am also unflappable, languid, stoic, impassive, sluggish, lethargic, placid, calm, mellow, laid-back and, well, slothful!
Video examples
The science of...
who rated the person as cold, stoic, and unaffectionate. If a potential mate has managed to pass all these tests, there's still one the infamous first kiss,
Video examples
Girl's Rite of Passage PIPE...
these four days mean little sleep scat food and the need to set aside emotion throughout the ordeal she must wear a face of stoic results to show it in some
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 218 PIPE...
polar bear tried to call her lifeless cub out into the open under the watchful eye of her Queen the normally stoic waffles seemed at a
Video examples
Scott Fraser: The...
At this point, I became a little concerned. This judge is someone you'd never want to play poker with. He was totally stoic. I couldn't see a twitch of his eyebrow. I couldn't see the slightest bend of his head. I had no sense of how he was reacting to this,
Video examples
Why Bittersweet Emotions...
You know, there's the stoic idea of, they would call it memento mori, to remember all the time that we could die tomorrow, we don't know what's going to happen. And that's a way of both calming us down and also making life feel a little more precious.
Video examples
The myth of the original...
and speak with his only companion— a stoic bull who listened patiently to the cowherd’s sorrows. But upon seeing the weaver’s beauty, the cowherd forgot his routine. While he longed to introduce himself, his lonely lifestyle had made him timid.
Video examples
You aren't at the mercy...
We have to make them meaningful. A human or something else has to connect them to the context, and that makes them meaningful. That's how we know that a smile might mean sadness and a cry might mean happiness, and a stoic, still face might mean
Video examples
The incredible history...
parts of North America and even China during the previous Shang and Zhou dynasties. And today, people travel from all over the world to see these stoic soldiers silently awaiting their battle orders for centuries to come.
Video examples
The philosophy of...
Today, we colloquially use the word stoic to mean someone who remains calm under pressure and avoids emotional extremes. But while this captures important aspects of Stoicism,
Video examples
A librarian's case...
I am lackadaisical, I dawdle and I dillydally. I am also unflappable, languid, stoic, impassive, sluggish, lethargic, placid, calm, mellow, laid-back and, well, slothful!
Video examples
The science of...
who rated the person as cold, stoic, and unaffectionate. If a potential mate has managed to pass all these tests, there's still one the infamous first kiss,
Video examples
Girl's Rite of Passage PIPE...
these four days mean little sleep scat food and the need to set aside emotion throughout the ordeal she must wear a face of stoic results to show it in some
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 218 PIPE...
polar bear tried to call her lifeless cub out into the open under the watchful eye of her Queen the normally stoic waffles seemed at a
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Amor Towles
American Novelist
In the contemporary world, we think of politeness as surface behavior, like frosting - it's sweet and attractive and finishes off the cake. But 19th century nobility and the enlightened thinkers and stoics before them viewed manners in a very different way. To them, manners are an outward expression of an inward struggle.
Quote examples
Leonardo DiCaprio
American Actor
I remember reading the book in high school and always thinking of Gatsby as this strong, stoic, suave, mysterious man who had everything under control. But when I read it as an adult, I realised he is a hollow man, a shell of a person trying to find meaning, who is not completely in touch with reality.
Quote examples
Sarah MacLean
American Author
No doubt, much of the joy of a great romance is the moment when these stoic heroes crack open and reveal themselves to their heroines - the only women strong enough to match them.
Quote examples
Julian Baggini
British Author
To become a stoic is to endorse the truthfulness of its world view and accept its prescription for how you ought to live, not just to like how it makes you feel.
Quote examples
Genndy Tartakovsky
Russian Director
I've always been in love with samurais, that kind of classic idea about a hero who has a sword with an intense skill and is very stoic and doesn't talk much.
Quote examples
Johan Huizinga
Dutch Historian
An aristocratic culture does not advertise its emotions. In its forms of expression it is sober and reserved. Its general attitude is stoic.
Quote examples
Carrie Coon
American Actress
The 'Fargo' characters, they're the characters of my people. They're stoic, hardworking, uncomplaining, and I loved them.
Quote examples
Robert Rinder
English Judge
I think I'm incredibly stoic. If I have a bad headache, it takes a while before I reach for a tablet.
Quote examples
Mike Daniels
I am a bit sassy, with some sarcasm thrown into the mix, but stoic at the same time - and brash.
Quote examples
Robert Parish
American Athlete
I can be very stoic looking, that's just my facial expression. I don't smile a lot.
Quote examples
Amor Towles
American Novelist
In the contemporary world, we think of politeness as surface behavior, like frosting - it's sweet and attractive and finishes off the cake. But 19th century nobility and the enlightened thinkers and stoics before them viewed manners in a very different way. To them, manners are an outward expression of an inward struggle.
Quote examples
Leonardo DiCaprio
American Actor
I remember reading the book in high school and always thinking of Gatsby as this strong, stoic, suave, mysterious man who had everything under control. But when I read it as an adult, I realised he is a hollow man, a shell of a person trying to find meaning, who is not completely in touch with reality.
Quote examples
Sarah MacLean
American Author
No doubt, much of the joy of a great romance is the moment when these stoic heroes crack open and reveal themselves to their heroines - the only women strong enough to match them.
Quote examples
Julian Baggini
British Author
To become a stoic is to endorse the truthfulness of its world view and accept its prescription for how you ought to live, not just to like how it makes you feel.
Quote examples
Genndy Tartakovsky
Russian Director
I've always been in love with samurais, that kind of classic idea about a hero who has a sword with an intense skill and is very stoic and doesn't talk much.
Quote examples
Johan Huizinga
Dutch Historian
An aristocratic culture does not advertise its emotions. In its forms of expression it is sober and reserved. Its general attitude is stoic.
Quote examples
Carrie Coon
American Actress
The 'Fargo' characters, they're the characters of my people. They're stoic, hardworking, uncomplaining, and I loved them.
Quote examples
Robert Rinder
English Judge
I think I'm incredibly stoic. If I have a bad headache, it takes a while before I reach for a tablet.
Quote examples
Mike Daniels
I am a bit sassy, with some sarcasm thrown into the mix, but stoic at the same time - and brash.
Quote examples
Robert Parish
American Athlete
I can be very stoic looking, that's just my facial expression. I don't smile a lot.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension