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Standstill vs Standby - What's the difference?

standstill | standby |

As nouns the difference between standstill and standby

is that standstill is complete immobility; halt while standby is state of readiness without being immediately involved.

As a verb standby is

wait briefly: an alternative spelling of nocap=1|lang=en.

standstill

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • complete immobility; halt
  • The wreck brought traffic to a standstill for hours.

    Derived terms

    * standstill agreement

    Synonyms

    * deadlock * grind * halt * idle * impasse

    Antonyms

    * motion * movement

    standby

    English

    Alternative forms

    * stand-by

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • State of readiness without being immediately involved.
  • ''The troops were on standby in case of an attack.
  • (travel) Waiting at the airport in the hope of getting a seat on a flight that is already booked out.
  • Something that is standard, well-tested, or frequently used.
  • That recipe is an old standby , and she keeps the ingredients around in case of unexpected guests.

    Verb

  • Standby while I check that for you.