sedate
sih-DAYT
/sɪˈdeɪt/
Quiet, settled, and dignified; slow-moving and serious. As a verb: to administer a calming drug.
As an adjective, describes a dignified, solemn, or unhurried pace that avoids excitement.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'sedare', meaning to cause to sit down or settle. When you sedate someone, you make them 'sit down' physically or emotionally.
Word relationships
- decorous: Decorous stresses social propriety and polite etiquette, whereas sedate stresses unhurried, dignified calm.
- staid: Staid implies overly serious or dull conservatism; sedate is more neutral regarding calm dignity.
- boisterous: Boisterous means noisy, energetic, and rowdy.
- wild: Wild implies unchecked excitement or turbulence.
Commonly confused with
- sedentary: Sedentary means involving much sitting and little exercise; sedate means dignified and calm.
Word family
- sedative (noun): A drug taken for its calming or sleep-inducing effect.
- sedation (noun): The administration of a sedative drug.
- sedately (adverb): In a quiet, calm, and dignified manner.
Collocations
- sedate pace
- sedate lifestyle
- sedate manner
- sedate colors
Idioms & expressions
- at a sedate pace
Example sentences
- "After years of traveling the globe, they adopted a sedate routine in a coastal village." Describing lifestyle
- "The veterinarian had to sedate the nervous horse before examining its injured hoof." Medical practice
Memory hook
SEDATE = SITS in DATE mode; slow, quiet, and reserved. Settled down, unhurried, calm.
When not to use
Avoid describing a wild, fast-paced party as sedate unless speaking ironically.
Fun facts
- In the 18th century, a 'sedate walk' was a mandatory daily social ritual for aristocratic ladies to demonstrate modesty and dignity.
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