stolid

adjective

stol·​id ˈstä-ləd 

: having or expressing little or no sensibility : unemotional

stolidity

stä-ˈli-də-tē 

stə-

noun

stolidly

ˈstä-ləd-lē 

adverb

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Sharpen Up With the History of Stolid

Stolid derives from stolidus, a word that means "dull" or "stupid" in Latin. It is also distantly related to the word stultify, meaning "to cause to appear or be stupid, foolish, or absurdly illogical." The earliest examples of usage for stolid, dating back to the early 17th century, indicate that it too was originally associated with a lack of smarts; it was used to describe people who were considered dull or stupid because they didn't wear their emotions on their sleeves. By the 1800s, however, stolid was frequently appearing without the connotation of foolishness, and it continues to be free of such overtones today.

Synonyms of stolid

• blank
• impassive
• expressionless
• motionless
• enigmatic
• vacant

Choose the Right Synonym for stolid

impassive, stoic, phlegmatic, apathetic, stolid mean unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion.

impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

stoic implies an apparent indifference to pleasure or especially to pain often as a matter of principle or self-discipline.

was resolutely stoic even in adversity

phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

Examples of stolid in a Sentence

She remained stolid during the trial.

the butler responded to the duchess's constant demands with stolid indifference

Recent Examples on the Web

In the Afrikaans world of my childhood, dancing often meant the stolid vastrap (tight-step), the terrible langarm (long-arm, a two-step that desperately wants to be a one-step), or, worst of all, volkspele (national or popular games), compulsory in Afrikaans-medium state-run schools. —Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026

The Roosevelt, a stolid 19 masonry floors, can’t compete in this new game. —Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 25 Feb. 2026

Even Universal’s stolid Lew Wasserman was suddenly looking for buyers and firing existing staff. —Peter Bart, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025

Joel Edgerton plays Robert Grainier, an orphan who grows up to be a stolid working man. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin stolidus dull, stupid

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stolid

• solid
• squalid
• semisolid

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Kids Definition

stolid

adjective

stol·​id ˈstäl-əd 

: having or expressing little or no feeling : not easily stirred or excited

a stolid person

stolidly adverb