sedentary
SED-uhn-ter-ee
/ˈsɛdənˌtɛri/
Involving little physical activity; spending much time seated or inactive.
Typically describes a lifestyle, job, or habit that lacks physical movement, often carrying a negative health connotation.
The story behind the word. The word traces directly back to the Latin verb 'sedere', meaning 'to sit'. This root also gave us 'sediment' (the stuff that settles to the bottom of a liquid) and 'session' (a period of sitting together). It entered English in the late 16th century to describe people whose work required them to sit in one place.
Word relationships
- inactive: Inactive is a general term for not moving, while sedentary specifically implies sitting down as a habit or lifestyle.
- stationary: Stationary means physically fixed in one place (like a stationary bike), whereas sedentary refers to a person's low-energy behavior.
- active: Active implies regular physical movement and energy expenditure, the direct opposite of sedentary.
- mobile: Mobile emphasizes the ability to move around easily, whereas sedentary emphasizes staying seated.
Commonly confused with
- sluggish: Sluggish describes a slow, low-energy state of mind or body, while sedentary describes the physical posture of sitting.
Word family
- sedentariness (noun): The state of being sedentary or inactive.
Collocations
- sedentary lifestyle
- sedentary occupation
- remain sedentary
Example sentences
- "The sedentary life is the real sin against the Holy Ghost; only thoughts won by walking have any value." A philosophical critique of modern intellectual life. (Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols)
- "Sitting at a desk for eight hours a day promotes a sedentary lifestyle that exercise alone cannot fully offset." A public health warning about office work.
Memory hook
The word starts with 'sed-', which sounds like 'sit'. A sedentary person sits all day. Sedentary means sitting down.
When not to use
Do not use to describe temporary stillness, such as sitting quietly during a movie or meditating; it refers to a chronic, long-term pattern of inactivity.
Fun facts
- In ecology, animals that remain permanently attached to one spot (like barnacles or corals) are also classified as 'sedentary' or 'sessile'.
Related words
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