stately
pronunciation
How to pronounce stately in British English:
UK [ˈsteɪtli]
How to pronounce stately in American English:
US [ˈstetli]
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- Adjective:
- impressive in appearance
- of size and dignity suggestive of a statue
- refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court
Word Origin
- stately (adj.)
- "noble, splendid," late 14c., from -ly (1) + state (n.1) in a sense of "costly and imposing display" (such as benefits a person of rank and wealth), attested from early 14c. This sense also is preserved in the phrase to lie in state "to be ceremoniously exposed to view before interment" (1705). Hence also stateroom. Related: Stateliness.
Synonym
Example
- 1. Her combinations look familiar , confidently african and stately .
- 2. These stately tones are more " we come in peace " than " brace yourself for the jump into hyperspace " .
- 3. It is tempting to think of the process of evolution as one of continuous , stately progress towards better-designed organisms .
- 4. The stately homes charity decided to give all its workers february 29 off , and told them to spend it making their own , less-stately homes greener .
- 5. In a stately government building , sara urges governor tancredi to review the information she took from nick and veronica .