Definition

1. Verb:
   • To rest with the body supported by the buttocks or thighs; to be in a seated position: The most common meaning, describing the physical act of resting on a chair, floor, etc.
   • To be located or situated: To occupy a specific place or position.
   • To pose for a portrait or photograph: To assume and maintain a position for an artist or camera.
   • To occupy a seat as a member of a body: To serve in an official capacity, such as on a committee, jury, or in a legislature.
   • To remain inactive or unused: To stay in one place without being used or disturbed.
   • To fit or hang on the body in a certain way: Used for clothing.
   • To take care of a child for a period of time; to babysit.

Usage Examples

• Basic Physical Action:
  • Please sit on the chair.
  • The cat likes to sit in the sun.
• To be located:
  • The village sits at the foot of the mountain.
  • The book has been sitting on the shelf for years.
• To pose:
  • She sat for a famous painter.
• Official Capacity:
  • He sits on the board of directors.
  • The court will sit again tomorrow.
• To babysit:
  • Can you sit for us on Friday night?

Advanced Usage

• "to sit tight": To remain in one's place patiently and take no action.
  • Just sit tight and wait for further instructions.
• "to sit well (with someone)": To be acceptable or agreeable to someone.
  • His decision did not sit well with the team.
• "to sit on something": To delay dealing with something; to suppress information.
  • The manager has been sitting on my proposal for weeks.

Variants and Related Words

• Sitting (n/adj): The act or period of being seated; currently in session (e.g., a room, a judge).
• Sitter (n): A person who sits, especially for a portrait; a babysitter.
• Seated (adj): In a sitting position.

Synonyms

• Perch: To sit, especially on something high or narrow.
• Settle: To sit or come to rest comfortably.
• Occupy: To be situated in a place.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Sit down: To lower oneself into a sitting position.
  • We sat down to eat.
• Sit in (on): To attend or participate as a visitor or observer.
  • May I sit in on your class?
• Sit out: To not participate in an activity; to wait through something until it ends.
  • I'll sit out this dance.
  • We had to sit out the storm in the basement.
• Sit up: To rise from a lying to a sitting position; to stay awake late.
  • The patient can sit up in bed now.
  • We sat up talking all night.

Related Idioms

• Sit on the fence: To avoid making a decision or choosing a side.
  • Stop sitting on the fence and tell us what you think.
• Sit pretty: To be in a favorable or advantageous position.
  • After the deal, the company is sitting pretty.
• Sit at someone's feet: To be someone's pupil or admirer.
  • He sat at the feet of the great master for years.

Verb

1. serve in a specific professional capacity
   • the priest sat for confession
   • she sat on the jury
2. show to a seat; assign a seat for
   • The host seated me next to Mrs. Smith
3. work or act as a baby-sitter; I have too much homework to do"
   • I cannot baby-sit tonight
4. be located or situated somewhere
   • The White House sits on Pennsylvania Avenue
5. sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
   • She never sat a horse!
   • Did you ever ride a camel?
   • The girl liked to drive the young mare
6. assume a posture as for artistic purposes
   • We don't know the woman who posed for Leonardo so often
7. be in session
   • When does the court of law sit?
8. take a seat
9. be around, often idly or without specific purpose
   • The object sat in the corner
   • We sat around chatting for another hour
10. be seated