# stately

/ˈsteɪtɫi/ (US) · /stˈeɪtli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stately
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. grand and impressive

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

impressive and grand in size or appearance, like a large old house or a palace.

For teachers: majestic or imposing in appearance; often used to describe architecture or large-scale objects that command respect.

- The family lived in a stately home that had been built hundreds of years ago.
- The stately columns of the national library gave the building an air of permanence and intellectual authority.

### 2. slow and dignified

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

moving in a slow, calm, and serious way that shows you are important.

For teachers: characterized by a deliberate, unhurried, and dignified pace or manner.

- The queen walked at a stately pace through the crowd of guests.
- The procession moved at a stately tempo, allowing the onlookers to appreciate the intricate details of the ceremonial costumes.

### 3. in a dignified way

adverb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

to do something in a slow, grand, and serious manner.

For teachers: in a stately or dignified manner; functions as the adverbial form of the adjective.

- The large ship sailed stately out of the harbour into the open sea.
- The old vessel glided stately across the mirror-like surface of the lake, its reflection undisturbed by the gentle wake.

Usage: While 'stately' is primarily an adjective, it occasionally functions as an adverb in literary contexts; modern prose typically prefers 'in a stately manner'.

## Examples

- The queen walked into the room with a stately pace.
- The wedding was held at a stately home surrounded by hundreds of acres of private parkland.
- The ship made a stately progress across the harbour, its massive hull barely seeming to disturb the glassy surface of the water.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.