Definition of STAID

Choose the Right Synonym for staid

Adjective

serious, grave, solemn, sedate, staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous. serious implies a concern for what really matters. a serious play about social injustice grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude. read the proclamation in a grave voice solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity. a sad and solemn occasion sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness. remained sedate amid the commotion staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint. a quiet and staid community sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity. a sober look at the state of our schools earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose. an earnest reformer

Examples of staid in a Sentence

Adjective

a staid and solemn businessman everyone was surprised by the racy joke from the usually staid professor

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The designer was already a world class fashion star and had just begun his sly, seductively Post Modern reinvention of the codes of Chanel—a house that had languished in staid propriety in the dozen or so years since its eponymous founder had died. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "Hamish Bowles Remembers the Unparalleled Energy, Wicked Wit, and Insatiable Curiosity of Karl Lagerfeld," 20 Feb. 2019 Though Mulroney is free to overshare about herself on Instagram, Meghan is now subject to staid and stringent protocol. — Michelle Ruiz, Marie Claire, "I Respect Jessica Mulroney's Hustle—and Her Loyalty to Meghan Markle," 18 Dec. 2018 Rather than a chaotic whirlwind of combat, four-player games actually feel more staid and conservative. — Owen Duffy, Ars Technica, "Wildlands may be the slickest, simplest fantasy skirmish game ever made," 1 Dec. 2018 Today, what was once associated with staid older ladies is now desired by young Chinese millennial and generation Z shoppers. — Andrea Felsted, The Seattle Times, "Karl Lagerfeld’s legacy is more than just Chanel suits," 19 Feb. 2019 Of all the types of fashion event, the lingerie show is the surely the most staid. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Rihanna Gathered an Outstanding Badgal Crew for her Savage x Fenty Lingerie Show," 13 Sep. 2018 While Dior dreamed of femme fleurs, Balmain was perfecting the chic, if staid, jolie madame look, which was conservative, correct, and aimed at a mature woman. — Cecil Beaton, Vogue, "Gertrude Stein on Pierre Balmain’s 1945 Couture Debut—Plus, a Look Back at the Designer’s Best Looks in Vogue," 22 Jan. 2019 Over the past few months, she's started to find her footing as a royal, taking on responsibilities, researching future patronages to champion, and revolutionizing a staid, centuries old institution simply by being part of it. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Inside Meghan Markle's First 100 Days in the Royal Family," 27 Aug. 2018 But that has clearly begun to change under Chief Artistic Officer Reed Krakoff, the famed former designer at Coach, credited with turning that once-staid handbag brand into a force in fashion. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, "Tiffany's Turnaround Plan Is Turning Out to Be a Gem," 23 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'staid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.