Stationary vs. Stationery

BACK TO SCHOOL: How many times have we spelled a word a certain way, not knowing we were off by one crucial letter? Such is often the case with the spelling of stationary versus stationery. Station(ary) refers to an object remaining still or unmoving, as in a stationary bicycle. Station(ery) is the paper one uses to write letters and notes.

Perfectly brilliant people make this common mistake.

An easy way to remember that social stationery is spelled with an “e” is to think of the “e” in the word “note.” Or simply remember that it is very thoughtful to send a note on fine stationery. Ideally, on William Arthur and Vera Wang fine stationery.