If you say that someone or something is staid, you mean that they are serious, dull, and rather old-fashioned.
...a staid seaside resort.
Synonyms: sedate, serious, sober, quiet More Synonyms of staid
staid in British English
(steɪd)
adjective
1.
of a settled, sedate, and steady character
2. rare
permanent
Derived forms
staidly (ˈstaidly)
adverb
staidness (ˈstaidness)
noun
Word origin
C16: obsolete past participle of stay1
staid in American English
(steɪd)
verb intransitive, verb transitive
1. Archaic
stay1
adjective
2. Rare
resisting change; fixed
3.
sober; sedate; settled and steady
Derived forms
staidly (ˈstaidly)
adverb
staidness (ˈstaidness)
noun
Examples of 'staid' in a sentence
staid
So what is going on in the seemingly staid world of historians?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Some might consider the town to be a bit staid.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Its other inhabitants are old and staid and utterly law abiding with a conscience over helping with the housework.
Joan Rice Sand In My Shoes: Wartime Diaries of a WAAF (2006)
Students value the close-knit atmosphere and find the city livelier than its staid image might suggest.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Readings are normally rather staid, but these people are lively and interesting.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It was, if anything, rather staid.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Engineering is seen as rather staid,' he says.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He was senior pastor of a staid old church full of money, manners, and momentum.
Christianity Today (2000)
But you aren't put in a 1 million draw with a staid old deposit account.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They have also established an entirely new paradigm in the staid world of cruising: that modernity and youth are not necessarily incompatible with opulence and class.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They have added a refreshing touch to the rather staid and mature democratic republic that West Germany has thankfully become.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
The image of a staid Cabinet Secretary could not be further removed from the sleazy activities of his former political adviser.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But these days all cars are pretty safe, so you need something to liven up that staid, boring image it had for a while.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Although a strict dress code still applies in many clubs, golf's rather staid reputation is gradually changing and the sport is suddenly back in fashion.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
staid
British English: staid ADJECTIVE
If you say that someone or something is staid, you mean that they are serious, dull, and rather old-fashioned.
...a staid seaside resort.
American English: staid
Brazilian Portuguese: sóbrio
Chinese: 严肃呆板的
European Spanish: formal
French: sclérosé
German: gesetzt
Italian: noioso
Japanese: 生真面目な
Korean: 고루한
European Portuguese: sóbrio
Latin American Spanish: formal
(adjective)
Definition
serious, rather dull, and old-fashioned in behaviour or appearance
a staid country doctor
Synonyms
sedate
She took them to visit her sedate, elderly cousins.
serious
He's quite a serious person.
sober
We are now far more sober and realistic.
quiet
calm
The normally calm waters of Mururoa lagoon heaved and frothed.
grave
steady
He was firm and steady, unlike other men she knew.
composed
solemn
His solemn little face broke into smiles.
demure
decorous
self-restrained
set in your ways
Opposites
wild
,
lively
,
exuberant
,
adventurous
,
rowdy
,
giddy
,
capricious
,
flighty
,
demonstrative
,
indecorous
,
sportive
Additional synonyms
in the sense of calm
Definition
(of weather) windless
The normally calm waters of Mururoa lagoon heaved and frothed.
Synonyms
still,
quiet,
smooth,
peaceful,
mild,
serene,
tranquil,
placid,
halcyon,
balmy,
restful,
windless,
pacific
in the sense of serious
Definition
not cheerful
He's quite a serious person.
Synonyms
solemn,
earnest,
grave,
stern,
sober,
thoughtful,
sedate,
glum,
staid,
humourless,
long-faced,
pensive,
unsmiling
in the sense of sober
Definition
serious and thoughtful
We are now far more sober and realistic.
Synonyms
serious,
practical,
realistic,
sound,
cool,
calm,
grave,
reasonable,
steady,
composed,
rational,
solemn,
lucid,
sedate,
staid,
level-headed,
dispassionate,
unruffled,
clear-headed,
unexcited,
grounded
Synonyms of 'staid'
staid
Explore 'staid' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of solemn
Definition
serious or glum
His solemn little face broke into smiles.
Synonyms
serious,
earnest,
grave,
sober,
thoughtful,
sedate,
glum,
staid,
portentous
in the sense of steady
Definition
not easily excited
He was firm and steady, unlike other men she knew.