Sit: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿช‘
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sit

 

[sษชt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

to take a seat

To rest one's weight on one's buttocks or thighs while keeping the torso upright and the legs supported. Sitting is a common human posture.

Synonyms

be seated, sit down, take a seat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sit

Informal and neutral, used in casual conversations to simply indicate that someone should take a seat.

  • Come and sit with us
  • Can you sit here for a moment?
take a seat

Often used in polite conversation. Slightly formal but generally neutral and inviting.

  • Please take a seat while you wait
  • Why don't you take a seat over there?
be seated

Formal and polite way to instruct someone to sit. Often used in formal settings such as ceremonies, meetings, or by authors in literature.

  • The guests were requested to be seated before the ceremony began
  • Please be seated while we sort this out
sit down

More explicit and slightly more directive. Used when there is a need to specify that someone should move from a standing to a sitting position.

  • Please sit down and relax
  • He finally decided to sit down after hours of standing

Examples of usage

  • Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.
  • She sat on the bench and watched the sunset.
Context #2 | Noun

a session of something

A period of time during which one is seated and engaged in a particular activity, such as a meeting, performance, or examination.

Synonyms

gathering, meeting, session.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sit

Used to describe the physical act of sitting down or being seated.

  • Please sit on the chair
  • The cat sat on the windowsill
session

Used to describe a set period of time dedicated to a particular activity, which can be formal or informal and often involves training or discussion.

  • I have a training session at 3 PM
  • The yoga session was very relaxing
meeting

Usually refers to a planned event where people come together to discuss or decide on specific topics, often in a professional setting.

  • There's a business meeting at 10 AM
  • We discussed the project in the morning meeting
gathering

Refers to a social or communal event where people come together, often informally.

  • We're planning a small family gathering this weekend
  • The community gathering was held at the park

Examples of usage

  • I have a sit-down with my boss this afternoon.
  • The sit-in protest lasted for several hours.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'sit' comes from the Old English 'sittan', meaning to be seated.
  • Related languages also share similar roots, such as the German 'sitzen' and the Dutch 'zitten'.
  • This word has been used in the English language since at least the 12th century.

Psychology

  • Sitting has been found to affect mood; comfortable seating can lead to feelings of relaxation.
  • Research shows that posture while sitting can influence cognitive performance, with upright positions linked to better focus.
  • Over-sitting has been associated with various health issues, prompting experts to encourage periodic movement.

Culture

  • In many cultures, sitting arrangements signify social status; for instance, a guest might be offered a higher seat.
  • Traditional customs often include sitting around tables for meals, highlighting the importance of communal dining.
  • Different cultures have unique sitting postures, such as seiza (kneeling) in Japan, highlighting cultural preferences.

Education

  • In classroom settings, the way students sit can affect classroom dynamics, with attention often increasing when seated properly.
  • Modern educational approaches advocate for flexible seating, allowing students to choose how they sit for optimal learning.
  • Sitting on the floor is a common practice in early childhood education, encouraging relaxed and engaged learning.

Health

  • Balanced sitting promotes good posture and can prevent back issues if done properly.
  • Ergonomic chairs are designed to support the back and encourage healthy sitting postures.
  • Experts recommend the 20-20-20 rule for office workers: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reduce eye strain from sitting at screens.

Translations

Translations of the word "sit" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น sentar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเฅˆเค เคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช sitzen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ duduk

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะธะดั–ั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ siedzieฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅบงใ‚‹ (ใ™ใ‚ใ‚‹)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท s'asseoir

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ sentarse

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท oturmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์•‰๋‹ค (์•‰๋‹ค)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุฌู„ุณ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sedฤ›t

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ sedieลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ (zuรฒ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ sedeti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sitja

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะพั‚ั‹ั€ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฏแƒ“แƒแƒ›แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ oturmaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ sentarse

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,088, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.