Definition of stiff
1a : not easily bent : rigid a stiff collarb : lacking in suppleness or flexibility stiff musclesc : impeded in movement —used of a mechanism a truck's stiff suspensiond : drunk 1a
2a : firm, resoluteb : stubborn, unyieldingc : proudd (1) : marked by reserve or decorum (2) : lacking in ease or grace : stilted
3 : hard fought stiff competition
4a (1) : exerting great force a stiff wind (2) : forceful, vigorousb : potent poured her a stiff drink
5 : of a dense or glutinous consistency : thick
6a : harsh, severe a stiff penaltyb : arduous, rugged stiff terrain
7 : not easily heeled over by an external force (such as the wind) a stiff ship
stiffly
adverbstiffness
nounExplore M-W
Examples of stiff in a Sentence
When I got out of bed this morning my back was stiff as a board.
Beat the egg whites until they are stiff.
Recent Examples of stiff from the Web
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The competition has gotten stiffer as more newcomers have joined the fray, encouraging everyone to step up their game.
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Their bodies can be unusually stiff: When they are picked up, their heads may not fall back.
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Using the whisk attachment, whip until stiff peaks form, about four minutes.
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The Stasher’s thicker walls and stiff closure means forcing the air out might take some combination of more finessing and more oil.
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Wake opens the season with stiff challenges against Boston College, Utah State and Appalachian State before getting into the meat of their daunting ACC schedule.
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The company’s policies do have very stiff penalties on early redemption to discourage holders from turning them in early for cash.
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But the comedy is pierced with jagged flashbacks to her dead best friend, Boo—and tragic loss is also at the core of Fleabag’s difficult relationship with her family, especially her stiff, undemonstrative father.
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Typically a slow, stiff, side-to-side wag with the tail straight up is a sign of an alert dog, not an excited one.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stiff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of stiff
Middle English stif, from Old English stīf; akin to Middle Dutch stijf stiff, Latin stipare to press together, Greek steibein to tread on
Synonym Discussion of stiff
stiff
Definition of stiff
First Known Use of stiff
13th century
Examples of stiff in a Sentence
That poor stiff never gets a break.
They have the kind of luxuries the average working stiff can't afford.
Recent Examples of stiff from the Web
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The right-wing Conservatives were the party of the middle class and the upper crust, while left-wing Labour was the party of the working stiffs.
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But their higher prices have put the historically cheap fare out of the reach of the regular working stiff.
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It's been growing for several decades, with the wages of working stiffs stagnating, productivity remaining high, and the folks at the tippy top — CEOs and the like — making more and more and more.
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Just ask the working stiffs who opened their hearts and wallets to sad-sack football teams in Oakland, San Diego or St. Louis.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stiff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of stiff
circa 1859
stiff
Definition of stiff
Examples of stiff in a Sentence
the actress has a reputation for stiffing the press at red-carpet events
Recent Examples of stiff from the Web
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Rafool claims Martinez stiffed him on fees charged to represent Martinez in his long, drawn-out, nasty divorce.
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New York City Uber drivers are about to see a hefty refund after Uber admitted to stiffing drivers $45 million because of an accounting glitch.
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Some were completely stiffed, with no real recourse other than pursuing a lawsuit that likely would cost more than the amount they weren’t paid.
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Yes, stiffing the officiant is a rude, disrespectful, obnoxious affront to a vital service on this day.
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More than his predecessors, who were stealth operators in accordance with Dolan’s policies, Jackson seems to delight in stiffing the Knicks’ beat reporters.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stiff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of stiff
1950
STIFF Defined for English Language Learners
stiff
playDefinition of stiff for English Language Learners
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: difficult to bend or move
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: painful to move or use; also : showing pain in movement or use
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: thick and difficult to stir or pour
stiff
Definition of stiff for English Language Learners
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: very much : to an extreme degree
stiff
Definition of stiff for English Language Learners
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: the body of a dead person
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: a person who you think is lucky, unlucky, etc.
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: an ordinary or dull person
stiff
Definition of stiff for English Language Learners
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: to not give as much money as you should give to (someone)
STIFF Defined for Kids
stiff
playDefinition of stiff for Students
stiffer
;stiffest
1 : not easily bent And because Sarah's clothes were stiff and heavy, the Indian woman made her clothes of deerskin … — Alice Dalgliesh, The Courage of Sarah Noble
2 : not easily moved stiff muscles
3 : firm and not changeable stiff determination
4 : not friendly, relaxed, or graceful in manner … how tense Phoebe's whole family seemed, how tidy, how respectable, how … stiff. — Sharon Creech, Walk Two Moons
6 : not flowing easily : thick Beat the egg whites until stiff.
7 : severe 3 a stiff penalty
8 : hard to do or deal with : difficult a stiff test
stiffly
adverb walk stifflystiffness
nounMedical Dictionary
stiff
playMedical Definition of stiff
: lacking in suppleness stiff muscles
stiffness
nounLearn More about stiff
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See words that rhyme with stiff Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stiff Spanish Central: Translation of stiff Nglish: Translation of stiff for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stiff for Arabic speakers
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