What does sashayed mean?
To sashay is to move with a distinctive swinging motion, especially a side-to-side movement of the hips. The word is most often used for people walking across a room, along a runway, or onto a stage, and it conveys rhythm, confidence, and conspicuous elegance. It can also be used more broadly for entering or moving through a place with relaxed assurance. Sashayed is the past tense and past participle of sashay. Although the expression may sound admiring when it describes graceful movement, it can also carry a teasing or mildly critical tone when someone's manner appears exaggerated or theatrical. The word is informal and is used chiefly in North American English.
verbTo walk or move with a swinging, often showy motion of the hips or body. It can also mean to move casually or confidently into or through a place.
- To walk or move with a swinging, graceful, or showy motion.
- To move or enter in a casual, confident, or conspicuous manner.
"She sashayed into the room and took a seat beside the window."
"The dancers sashayed across the stage in bright costumes."
"After hesitating at the doorway, he sashayed into the interview with unusual confidence."
"New arrivals sashayed down the catwalk while photographers snapped pictures."
Sashay turns an ordinary walk into a performance, suggesting rhythm, confidence, and theatrical flair.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of sashayed
The underlying verb sashay comes from French sashayer, meaning “to pass.” It developed an English sense of moving with a swinging or winding motion. The word was established in American English before becoming more widely used in other varieties of English.
Related word forms
How sashayed is actually used
Informal and often mildly humorous or theatrical. It is chiefly used in North American English and can sound disapproving when it describes someone moving with exaggerated confidence or showiness.
Easily confused with sashayed
A sash is a band or strip of cloth worn around the waist or over one shoulder, whereas to sashay is to move with a swinging motion.