sedate
C1Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Calm, dignified, and unhurried.
To administer a sedative drug to calm someone or make them sleep; (as an adjective) also describes something lacking excitement or liveliness.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As an adjective, the word's tone is neutral to positive when describing composure, but can be mildly negative when implying dullness. As a verb, it is clinical/medical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both formal and medical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] sedate someone (with something)[adjective] sedate pace/manner/atmosphereVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; could describe a 'sedate market' or 'sedate growth'.
Academic
Used in medical literature for the verb; in humanities to describe a character or atmosphere.
Everyday
Adjective used to describe a person, event, or place as calm or slow.
Technical
Primarily in medical contexts as a verb meaning to administer sedatives.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The vet needed to sedate the anxious dog before the procedure.
- Patients are often sedated for minor surgical operations.
American English
- The doctor will sedate the patient for the colonoscopy.
- The agitated individual had to be sedated by the medical team.
adverb
British English
- The procession moved sedately through the old town streets.
American English
- The elderly gentleman walked sedately with his cane.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat was very sedate and liked to sleep all day.
- After taking the medicine, he felt sedate and relaxed.
- The ceremony was a sedate affair, with no loud music or dancing.
- The central bank's sedate approach to interest rates has been criticised by some economists.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SEA DATE where the ocean is perfectly calm and the couple is unhurried. SEA-DATE sounds like SEDATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
CALM IS DOWN/SLOW (a sedate pace, a sedate demeanor).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'sedative' (седативное средство) – 'sedate' это прилагательное 'спокойный' или глагол 'давать успокоительное'.
- Не переводить как 'седой' (grey-haired) – это 'grey'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sedate' as a noun (incorrect: 'He took a sedate'; correct: 'He was given a sedative').
- Confusing 'sedate' (adj/verb) with 'sedative' (noun).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sedate' used as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on context. It's positive when describing calm composure ('a sedate manner'), but can be negative when implying excessive dullness ('a sedate party'). The verb is neutral/medical.
'Sedate' often implies a deliberate, dignified slowness and quietness, while 'calm' is broader, referring to an absence of agitation or disturbance. 'Sedate' is more formal.
Yes, e.g., 'He is a sedate and thoughtful man, not given to outbursts.'
The related nouns are 'sedation' (the process/state) and 'sedative' (the drug used).