SED-uhn-ter-ee
/ˈsɛdəˌntɛɹi/
Sedentary is pronounced SED-uhn-ter-ee (/ˈsɛdəˌntɛɹi/). Sedentary is an adjective describing a lifestyle or position that involves a lot of sitting and little physical activity, often leading to a lack of exercise or movement. It can also describe organisms that spend most of their time stationary. In contexts like health or work culture, it contrasts with active or energetic behaviors; in biology, it can refer to stationary habits or non-motile stages. (2–4 sentences, 50–80 words).
nounSedentary is an adjective describing a lifestyle or position that involves a lot of sitting and little physical activity, often leading to a lack of exercise or movement. It can also describe organisms that spend most of their time stationary. In contexts like health or work culture, it contrasts with active or energetic behaviors; in biology, it can refer to stationary habits or non-motile stages. (2–4 sentences, 50–80 words).
How to Pronounce Sedentary
"A sedentary office job can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems."
"She adopted a sedentary routine until she started daily walking breaks."
"Excessive screen time promotes a sedentary lifestyle."
Sedentary is pronounced /ˈsɛdənˌtɛri/ in US English, with primary stress on the first syllable and secondary stress on the third. Break it into se-den-ta-ry, where 'se' rhymes with 'bed', and 'ta' carries a light emphasis. The 'e' in the first syllable is short, and the final -ry is pronounced as 'ree' with a soft 'r' depending on accent. You’ll get the rhythm of da-tinged syllables—practice saying it slowly: /ˈsɛdənˌtɛri/.
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (trying to stress the -ta- or -ry syllables inconsistently), pronouncing the second syllable as a long 'ee' sound (sedentary vs seden- tary), and not reducing the unstressed vowels (say- Den-tary vs se-DEN-tary). Correct by: (1) maintaining primary stress on the first syllable, (2) using a short schwa in the second syllable (/ˈsɛdən/), and (3) shortening the middle 'e' and finishing with a crisp /ri/.
In US English, /ˈsɛdənˌtɛri/ with a rhotic /r/ in -ri and a distinct middle schwa. UK English tends to a non-rhotic ending, often /ˈsɛdənˌtəri/ with slightly shorter vowel in -ri and less pronounced r. Australian English generally sits between US and UK: /ˈsɛdənˌtəri/ or /ˈsɛdənˌtəri/ with a tapped or approximant r depending on region; vowels may sound slightly more centralized. Overall, primary stress remains on first syllable; vowel quality shifts subtly in -er- and -ary endings.
The difficulty comes from the unstressed vs stressed vowels and the sequence of syllables: a strong first syllable, a reduced mid syllable, and a final -ary with a clear 'ry' sound. The challenge is keeping the short /ɛ/ in the first and third syllables, avoiding an overlong vowel in the middle, and ensuring the final /ri/ remains crisp rather than blending into a schwa. Practicing with slow, deliberate syllable taps helps you stabilize the rhythm.
Sedentary has a clear triplet structure se-den-ta-ry with the first syllable stressed. Unique to this word is the dual stress pattern (primary on the first, secondary on -tary in many accents) and the final 'ry' that can shift from a crisp /ri/ to a softer /əri/ depending on the accent. The middle syllable often reduces to a schwa, making the sequence susceptible to vowel pinching if you over-articulate.
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Sedentary comes from Latin sedentarius, meaning 'sitting, settled, stationary,' from sedēre 'to sit.' The root sed- means 'to sit.' Early English borrowed sedentary in the 14th century with senses linked to settled living or fixed position. Over time, its sense narrowed primarily to describe people or lifestyles characterized by sitting or a lack of movement. The term also appears in biology to describe organisms that remain fixed in place or non-motile stages. The modern usage emphasizes prolonged inactivity rather than mere stillness, often in health, work, or lifestyle discussions. The word passed into many languages with little change in form, reflecting a universal association between sitting and a lack of activity. First known use attested in Middle English pharmacopoeia discussions and later in medical and social texts as concerns about physical health associated with sitting became prevalent in the 19th and 20th centuries.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Sedentary" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Sedentary" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Sedentary"
-ary sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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