Sit-Down vs. Sit Down
“Sit down” is the two-word phrasal verb for moving into a seated position. Cambridge separately records hyphenated “sit-down” as an adjective and noun, including uses such as a sit-down meal or a serious sit-down. The closed query spelling “sitdown” is therefore normalized to the hyphenated owner rather than treated as a standard competing form.
Use “sit down” as the phrasal verb. Use “sit-down” with a hyphen for the documented adjective or noun. The closed spelling “sitdown” is not the standard form represented by the reviewed dictionary entry.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| the action of taking a seat | sit down | Use the two-word phrasal verb. |
| a documented adjective or noun | sit-down | Use the hyphenated form. |
| the closed spelling | sitdown | Do not treat it as the standard form represented by the reviewed entry. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Is the expression functioning as the verb meaning take a seat?
If yes: Use “sit down.”
If no: Use “sit-down” for the documented adjective or noun use.
Caveat: The guide follows the reviewed dictionary forms and does not generalize closed “sitdown” as standard.
Examples
Please sit down near the window.
The expression is a phrasal verb.
They held a sit-down meeting with the team.
The hyphenated form functions adjectivally.
The protest became a sit-down.
The hyphenated form functions as a noun.
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “sit down” as the verb. Use hyphenated “sit-down” for the documented adjective or noun, such as a sit-down meal or a sit-down discussion.
Fast Test
If someone is performing the action, write two words: “sit down.” If the expression labels a type of meal, event, protest, or discussion, the documented form is “sit-down.”
Usage Boundary
The candidate spelling “sitdown” should not be promoted as the standard noun/adjective form when the reviewed dictionary headword is hyphenated “sit-down.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- sit down / sit-down — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct dictionary evidence distinguishing phrasal verb sit down from hyphenated sit-down adjective and noun uses.