Stiff (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Rigidly formal; "a starchy manner"; "the letter was stiff and formal"; "his prose has a buckram quality".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The butler's stiff demeanor made guests feel unwelcome in the grand mansion.
- Her stiff bearing was a result of her strict boarding school education.
- The politician's stiff apology was met with skepticism by the public.
- The teacher's stiff grading policy made it difficult for students to earn high marks.
- The company's stiff rules on dress code created a somber atmosphere in the office.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable; "firm convictions"; "a firm mouth"; "steadfast resolve"; "a man of unbendable perseverence"; "unwavering loyalty".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- She stood by her stiff refusal to compromise on the issue, despite the pressure from her colleagues.
- His stiff upper lip and unyielding demeanor made him a formidable opponent in the business world.
- The politician's stiff stance on environmental issues earned her a reputation as a champion of conservation.
- The athlete's stiff resolve to win the championship drove her to train for hours every day.
- The company's stiff commitment to quality control resulted in a significant reduction in product returns and complaints.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
Powerful; "a stiff current"; "a stiff breeze".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The hikers struggled to make progress against the stiff wind that was blowing down the mountain.
- The swimmer was swept away by a stiff current that was running through the narrow channel.
- The trees swayed violently in the stiff breeze that was blowing through the valley.
- The sailors had to adjust their sails to compensate for the stiff headwind that was slowing their progress.
- The kayaker paddled hard to make headway against the stiff water that was flowing through the rapids.
Meaning 4
Having a strong physiological or chemical effect; "a potent toxin"; "potent liquor"; "a potent cup of tea"; "a stiff drink".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Synonyms
Meaning 5
Incapable of or resistant to bending; "a rigid strip of metal"; "a table made of rigid plastic"; "a palace guardsman stiff as a poker"; "stiff hair"; "a stiff neck".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The doctor gently manipulated the patient's stiff neck to check for any signs of injury.
- Her hair was stiff from the hairspray, and it didn't budge even in the strong wind.
- The wooden ruler was stiff and unyielding, perfect for drawing straight lines.
- The old palace guardsman stood stiff as a poker, unmoving and unblinking as the procession passed.
- The rigid strip of metal was used to reinforce the broken leg of the chair.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 6
Not moving or operating freely; "a stiff hinge".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The old gate had a stiff hinge that made it difficult to open.
- After sitting in one position for too long, her joints felt stiff.
- The new shoes felt stiff on her feet and needed to be broken in.
- The engine was stiff and wouldn't turn over on the first try.
- The door was stiff from years of disuse and required a lot of force to open.
Related Words
Meaning 7
Very drunk.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Usages
Examples
- After a few too many beers, John was stiff and needed to be helped to the taxi.
- Sarah was stiff after a night out on the town and struggled to walk straight.
- The concert was amazing but after the after-party I was stiff and could barely remember it.
- After the whiskey shots, Alex was stiff and needed a hand getting home.
- My cousin was stiff at the wedding reception and kept spilling his drink on himself.