sedentary
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “sedentary” mean?
adjective.(of a person) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in passages discussing health, lifestyle, or social behaviors, emphasizing the consequences of inactivity on physical and mental well-being. It suggests a lifestyle that lacks movement or exercise, contrasting with terms like "active," which imply engagement and energy.
Common Confusions
Sedentary implies a lifestyle characterized by inactivity and prolonged sitting, while active usually suggests engagement in physical movement and exercise.
Do not choose sedentary if the context emphasizes activity or movement rather than tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
Example Sentences
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The oyster is a sedentary mollusk; the barnacles are sedentary crustaceans.