stolid

1 of 2

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

stolidity

2 of 2

noun

sto·​lid·​i·​ty stəˈlidətē 

-ətē, 

-i

plural -es

: the quality or state of being stolid

all his stolidity seemed gone now; he was trembling

—W. H. Hudson †1922

Did you know?

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

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

She remained stolid during the trial.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But the picture also feels stolid and one note. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 May 2026

At the end of the eighteenth century, the West’s power brokers, eager to exude stolid republican virtue, abjured decoration and ornament, sparking what the British psychologist John Flügel called the Great Masculine Renunciation. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026

Kinlaw remained stolid throughout most of the public comment period and did not address calls for his resignation. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026

At the outset, Martin (William Giammona) is as stolid as a piece of furniture, standing stock still at center stage, the black rectangle through which the other actors enter and exit like a deep void behind him. —Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin stolidus dull, stupid

Noun

Latin stoliditas, from stolidus + -itas -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

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