Definition of stiff
(Entry 1 of 4)
1a
: 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 sense 1a
b
: stubborn, unyielding
c
: proud
d(1)
: marked by reserve or decorum
(2)
: lacking in ease or grace : stilted
3
: hard fought
stiff competition
b
: potent
poured her a stiff drink
5
: of a dense or glutinous consistency : thick
7
: not easily heeled over by an external force (such as the wind)
a stiff ship
stiff
adverb
Definition of stiff (Entry 2 of 4)
stiff
noun
Definition of stiff (Entry 3 of 4)
stiff
verb
stiffed; stiffing; stiffs
Definition of stiff (Entry 4 of 4)
1a
: to refuse to pay or tip
stiffed the waiter
b
: cheat
stiffed him in a business deal
c
: stick sense 7a
stiffed us with the bar bill
2
: snub sense 3
stiffed sportswriters after the game
: to fail commercially
the movie stiffed at the box office
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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The first known use of stiff was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century