sedentary
Say it: SED-un-tuh-ree /ˈsɛdəntɛri/ · adjective
What “sedentary” means
Involving lots of sitting and very little movement.
More precisely: Involving a lot of sitting and little physical activity.
Example: “A sedentary job makes a daily walk even more important.”
When to use it
Use it in neutral discussions of work or habits when someone spends much of their time sitting and moving little.
Memory trick
Latin sedere means to sit, the main feature of a sedentary routine.
Similar words
inactive, seated, desk-bound
Where it comes from
From Latin sedere, "to sit."
Quick check
You spend most days sitting at a computer, then sitting on the sofa until bedtime. How would you describe your routine?
sedentary or active?
Show the answer
sedentary
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