adjective
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of a settled, sedate, and steady character
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rare permanent
Related Words
Staid, sedate, settled indicate a sober and composed type of conduct. Staid indicates an ingrained seriousness and propriety that shows itself in complete decorum; a colorless kind of correctness is indicated: a staid and uninteresting family. Sedate applies to one who is noticeably quiet, composed, and sober in conduct: a sedate and dignified young man. One who is settled has become fixed, especially in a sober or determined way, in manner, judgments, or mode of life: He is young to be so settled in his ways.
Other Word Forms
- staidly adverb
- staidness noun
- unstaid adjective
- unstaidly adverb
- unstaidness noun
Etymology
Origin of staid
First recorded in 1535–45 for adjective use
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Candidates are raising money and doing their due diligence … but it’s felt like a staid, quiet race,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026
A hearing of the White House Religious Liberty Commission is usually a staid affair.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026
Fashion historian Dr Helen Walter says Westwood's "punk" approach to tartan transformed it from being something associated with staid British cultural norms and gave it a rebellious streak.
From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026
Utilities are a good example—the normally staid, defensive sector soared in 2025, as investors believe that it will benefit from AI’s insatiable demand for electricity.
From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026
He wore the perfectly cut frock coat and vest of all Kerch merchants—dark, refined, deliberately staid.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
