Rigid

/ˈrɪdʒɪd/

adjectivemedium📊CommonPhysical Properties
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Unable to bend or be forced out of shape; not flexible.

/ˈrɪdʒɪd/

adjectiveneutralmedium
Physical Properties

Not able to be bent or moved easily.

The frozen pipes became rigid in the cold weather.

💡 Simply: Imagine a metal pole. It's *rigid* because it's very stiff and won't easily bend. Like when you try to flex your arm, but your elbow is too stiff to move.

👶 For kids: When something is rigid, it means it's hard and doesn't bend easily, like a superhero's strong arm!

More Examples

2

The sculptor used a rigid material for the statue's base.

3

The old man's back was rigid with pain.

How It's Used

Engineering

"The bridge's rigid structure ensured its stability."

Physical therapy

"The patient's joints became rigid after the injury."

2

Inflexible in character or outlook; unwilling to change or compromise.

/ˈrɪdʒɪd/

adjectivenegativemedium
Behavior

Strict and unyielding.

The company adhered to a rigid code of conduct.

💡 Simply: Think of a teacher who has *rigid* rules; they're super strict and don't bend them at all, no exceptions. Or maybe a person who refuses to change their mind.

👶 For kids: When someone is rigid, they are very strict and don't like to change their mind.

More Examples

2

Her father was very rigid about bedtime.

3

They followed a rigid schedule every day.

How It's Used

Law

"The judge followed a rigid interpretation of the law."

Social Rules

"They lived by a rigid set of social expectations."

Tip:Picture a *rigid* person with a stiff, unyielding personality.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Latin *rigidus* meaning 'stiff, hard'.

The word 'rigid' has been used since the 17th century to describe both physical and metaphorical stiffness.

Memory tip

Think of a *rigid* ruler – it's hard and doesn't bend.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"stiff, hard"

rigid structurerigid bodyrigid rulesrigid schedulerigid adherence

Common misspellings

rigitriged

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written