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Meaning & use

sitteth

verb·Advancedarchaicliteraryreligion

Last updated

UK/ˈsɪtɪθ/
US/ˈsɪtɪθ/

“sitteth” is a form of “sit”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meaning

  1. verbintransitivearchaicliteraryreligion

    In older English, the third-person singular present tense of 'sit': he, she, or it sits.

    Grammar: Used only with he, she, or it as the subject, and only in archaic or biblical language. In modern English, use 'sits'.

    Patterns

    • someone sitteth
    • sitteth on something
    • sitteth at something

    In the old hymn, the line reads: 'He sitteth on the throne.'

    The prophet described a vision where the Lord sitteth above the cherubim.

    In the King James Bible, 'sitteth' appears many times, as in 'He sitteth in the heavens.'

Common combinations

sitteth on the throne
The ancient text says that the king sitteth on the throne.
sitteth at the right hand
The creed states that he sitteth at the right hand of God.
sitteth in the heavens
The psalm says that the Lord sitteth in the heavens and laughs.

Synonyms and how they differ

sits
The modern equivalent; use 'sits' in all normal present-day English.

Opposites

standethriseth

Word family

sit verb
The base form, meaning to rest on your bottom.
sat verb
The past tense and past participle of 'sit'.
sitting noun
A period of sitting, or a meeting of a group.

Commonly confused: sitteth or sits?

sitteth vs sits

This is the modern form; 'sitteth' is archaic and only used in old texts or for special effect.

Practice

In which type of modern English text would you most likely see the word 'sitteth'?

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