Stiff
/stɪf/
Definitions
4 meaningsRigid; not easily bent or moved.
/stɪf/
Rigid and difficult to move or bend
The cardboard was too stiff to fold.
💡 Simply: Imagine you sit too long and your back gets super hard to move. That feeling is 'stiff'.
👶 For kids: When something is hard to bend, like a new toy that doesn't move easily!
More Examples
After sitting for hours, his neck felt stiff.
How It's Used
"My muscles were stiff after the long hike."
"The new leather is quite stiff."
Formal and reserved in behavior or manner; not relaxed.
/stɪf/
Unfriendly or formal in manner
The party had a rather stiff atmosphere.
💡 Simply: Think of someone who doesn't smile much and keeps to themself. That person is 'stiff'.
👶 For kids: When someone acts like a robot and doesn't laugh or play much.
More Examples
His stiff handshake didn't make a good first impression.
How It's Used
"She has a stiff, formal demeanor."
"He was described as a stiff man."
Difficult to deal with or overcome; severe.
/stɪf/
Difficult or severe
The company faces a stiff challenge in the market.
💡 Simply: Imagine a really tough challenge, like a hard exam or a difficult problem. That's a 'stiff' situation.
👶 For kids: When something is really, really hard to do, like a super hard puzzle.
More Examples
The new regulations impose stiff fines on violators.
How It's Used
"He faced a stiff competition."
"He received a stiff penalty."
(Slang) To die.
/stɪf/
To die
He stiffed from the injuries.
💡 Simply: Like the end of a video game - they are no longer playing and the game is over, the player is 'stiff'
👶 For kids: When someone or something stops being alive.
How It's Used
"He finally stiffed."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
stiff upper lip
The ability to show courage and control emotions in difficult situations.
"Despite the bad news, she kept a stiff upper lip."
stiff-necked
stubborn and unwilling to change their opinions or ideas
"He was seen as stiff-necked and inflexible."
stiff as a board
very stiff and rigid
"After sleeping on the floor, my back was as stiff as a board."
From Old English *stīf, akin to Old High German *stīf. The meaning evolved from physical rigidity to a broader range of meanings including formality and difficulty.
The word 'stiff' originally described physical rigidity and has been used in English since Old English, evolving to encompass formality and difficulty over time.
Memory tip
Think of a statue that can't bend.
Word Origin
"rigid, unyielding"