Is "sedentary" formal or informal?

What is the difference between "sedentary" and "inactive"?

Can "sedentary" describe a job?

Is "sedentary" used in health discussions?

← Dictionary

sedentary

/ˈsed.ən.tər.i/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

Involving much sitting and little physical movement; not active.

Many office jobs are sedentary and require long sitting.
Office work can be sedentary if you sit all day.
Too much sedentary time is bad for health.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: "sedentary" emphasizes routine sitting with a neutral, everyday tone; unlike "lazy" (moral judgment) or "idle" (avoiding activity), it describes behaviour, not character. Compared to "inactive" or "stationary," it is more specific to sitting and desk-based contexts.

In other languages

Spanish: Sedentario
Japanese: 座りがちな
Korean: 좌식적인
Vietnamese: ít vận động
Chinese: 久坐的

Common phrases

sedentary lifestylesedentary jobsedentary behaviour

Synonyms

inactive sitting still stationary

Frequently asked questions

Is "sedentary" formal or informal?: Is "sedentary" formal or informal?
What is the difference between "sedentary" and "inactive"?: What is the difference between "sedentary" and "inactive"?
Can "sedentary" describe a job?: Can "sedentary" describe a job?
Is "sedentary" used in health discussions?: Is "sedentary" used in health discussions?