- Main Entry:
- 1stiff
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈstif\
- Function:
- adjective
- Etymology:
- Middle English stif, from Old English stīf; akin to Middle Dutch stijf stiff, Latin stipare to press together, Greek steibein to tread on
- Date:
- before 12th century
1 a: not easily bent : rigid <a stiff collar> b: lacking in suppleness or flexibility <stiff muscles> c: impeded in movement —used of a mechanism <a truck's stiff suspension> d: drunk 1a2 a: firm, resolute b: stubborn, unyielding c: proud d (1): marked by reserve or decorum (2): lacking in ease or grace : stilted3: hard fought : pugnacious, sharp <drove a stiff bargain> <stiff competition>4 a (1): exerting great force <a stiff wind> (2): forceful, vigorous b: potent <a stiff dose> <poured her a stiff drink>5: of a dense or glutinous consistency : thick6 a: harsh, severe <a stiff penalty> b: arduous, rugged <stiff terrain>7: not easily heeled over by an external force (as the wind) <a stiff ship>8: expensive, steep <paid a stiff price>
—
stiff·ish \ˈsti-fish\ adjective — stiff·ly adverb
— stiff·ness noun
synonyms stiff,
rigid,
inflexible mean difficult to bend.
stiff may apply to any degree of this condition
<stretching keeps your muscles from becoming stiff>.
rigid applies to something so stiff that it cannot be bent without breaking
<a rigid surfboard>.
inflexible stresses lack of suppleness or pliability
<ski boots with inflexible soles>.
