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sit

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verb American English pronunciation: sit /sɪt/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theysit
he/she/itsits
present participlesitting
past tensesat
past participlesat
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive] to be in a position in which the lower part of your body rests on a seat or on the ground, while the upper part of your body is upright
    sit on a chair/bench/stool:

    Matt sat on a park bench, eating his lunch.

    sit in:

    They were sitting in a café drinking coffee.

    sit at a table/desk/computer:

    I was sitting at my computer when the phone rang.

    sit next to someone:

    I usually sit next to Andrew in history class.

    sit together:

    My friends and I like to sit together in the cafeteria.

    sit around:

    Six of us were sitting around the table talking.

    sit side by side:

    We sat side by side in the back seat.

    sit still:

    Sit still (=without moving) while I brush your hair, Lucy.

    just sit there (=not do anything):

    Are you going to just sit there, or are you going to help me?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of sit
    1. a.

      sit

       or

      sit down

       [intransitive] to lower your body into a sitting position

      He sat right on the cake.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of sit
    2. b.
      [transitive] to put someone into a sitting position

      Joanna sat the child on her lap and read him a story.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of sit
  2. 2
    [intransitive] to be in a particular situation or condition for a period of time

    I ended up sitting in traffic for over an hour.

    They sat in silence, unable to look at each other.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of sit
  3. 3
    [intransitive] to be in a particular place

    The house sits on top of a hill overlooking the countryside.

    The cans looked as though they had been sitting on the shelf for months.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of sit
  5. 5
    [intransitive] to be a model for a painter or a photographer
    sit for:

    She earns money sitting for artists.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of sit
  6. 6
    [intransitive] informal to babysit
    sit for:

    I'm sitting for the Richardsons tomorrow night.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of sit
  7. 7
    [transitive] British to take an examination

    I'm sitting my French exam tomorrow.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of sit

phrases

See also

This is the American English definition of sit. View British English definition of sit.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for sit.

 

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