sedately
gb/sɪdˈeɪtli/ us/sɪdˈeɪtli/
C1
English
kimérten, nyugodtan, visszafogottan, szolidan
C1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] [does something] sedately
They walked sedately through the museum, reading every label.
Kimérten sétáltak a múzeumban, és minden feliratot elolvastak.
She spoke sedately, keeping her voice even despite the interruption.
Kimérten beszélt, és a félbeszakítás ellenére is egyenletes maradt a hangja.
The procession moved sedately down the main street.
Learner examples
He walked sedately to the door.
Kimérten odasétált az ajtóhoz.
Please speak sedately in the library.
Kérlek, kimérten beszélj a könyvtárban.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse it with 'sadly'; it relates to being calm/controlled, not feeling sad.
Meaning
calmly and without hurry
Collocations
walk sedately
|move sedately
|stroll sedately
|proceed sedately
|drive sedately
|sit sedately
|speak sedately
|eat sedately
|nod sedately
|smile sedately
Synonyms
calmly (more general; may not suggest slowness.)
|
unhurriedly (emphasizes not rushing.)
|
quietly (emphasizes low noise rather than pace.)
|
composedly (emphasizes self-control and dignity.)
Antonyms
hurriedly (with haste; the opposite of unhurried.)
|
excitedly (with strong energy or emotion.)
|
frantically (in a panicked, uncontrolled way.)
Themes
daily_life
|movement
|behavior
Definition
in a calm and slow way
In a calm, slow, and controlled way, without excitement or haste.
C1
2
szolidan
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] [is dressed/behaves] sedately
The guests were sedately dressed in dark suits and simple dresses.
A vendégek visszafogottan voltak öltözve: sötét öltönyben és egyszerű ruhákban.
He tried to look sedately professional for the interview.
Az interjúra igyekezett visszafogottan profi benyomást kelteni.
The room was decorated sedately, with muted colors and minimal ornaments.
Learner examples
She was dressed sedately for the ceremony.
Visszafogottan öltözött fel az ünnepségre.
Common mistake:
Do not use it to mean 'old-fashioned' in general; it mainly suggests restraint and propriety.
Meaning
in a sober, conservative style
Collocations
dress sedately
|be dressed sedately
|sedately dressed
|sedately clothed
|behave sedately
Synonyms
conservatively (common for clothing choices; less about pace.)
|
plainly (emphasizes simplicity; may lack the 'proper/dignified' sense.)
|
modestly (often focuses on avoiding revealing clothing.)
Antonyms
flamboyantly (in a showy, attention-getting way.)
|
gaudily (showily and in a way many consider unattractive.)
|
flashily (in a bright, attention-seeking way.)
Themes
clothing
|appearance
|social_life
Definition
in a plain, not flashy way
In a restrained, proper, and not showy way, especially in dress or appearance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sedately
IPA
GB/sɪdˈeɪtli/
US/sɪdˈeɪtli/
Syllables & stress
sed - ately (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ately)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sedately
- Plural: sedatelies
Expressions
sedately dressed
1/sɪdˈeɪtli dɹˈɛst/
fixed phrase
dressed in a conservative way
wearing plain, not showy clothes
Examples
- Most attendees were sedately dressed in navy and grey.
- She arrived sedately dressed for the formal dinner.
- The staff were sedately dressed to match the hotel's style.
Learner examples
- He was sedately dressed.
sit sedately
1/sˈɪt sɪdˈeɪtli/
fixed phrase
sit quietly and properly
to sit calmly without moving much
Examples
- The children sat sedately while the principal spoke.
- He sat sedately at the back of the room, hands folded.
- They sat sedately through the entire performance.
Learner examples
- The students sat sedately.
walk sedately
1/wˈɔk sɪdˈeɪtli/
fixed phrase
walk calmly and slowly
to walk slowly and calmly
Examples
- They walked sedately along the river after dinner.
- The couple walked sedately to their seats.
- She walked sedately across the stage to accept the award.
Learner examples
- We walked sedately to the park.