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 1a
2 a : firm, resolute b : stubborn, unyielding c : proud d (1) : marked by reserve or decorum (2) : lacking in ease or grace : stilted
3 : 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 : thick
6 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>.