stiffer; stiffest
1
a
: difficult to bend or move
stiff valves/cardboard/fabric
stiff hairs/bristles
The brush was as stiff as a board. [=very stiff]
b
: painful to move or use
stiff muscles
a stiff back/neck
When I got out of bed this morning my back was stiff as a board.
also
: showing pain in movement or use
a stiff walk
2
: thick and difficult to stir or pour
Beat the egg whites until they are stiff.
stiff batter
3
: difficult, strict, or severe
a stiff [=heavy] penalty/fine
a stiff task/challenge
stiff competition
4
: not graceful, relaxed, or friendly
Our host seemed somewhat stiff.
a stiff manner
: too formal
stiff writing/dialogue
5
: very expensive
a stiff price
6
: strong and forceful
a stiff wind/breeze
The troops encountered stiff resistance.
7
: containing a lot of alcohol
a stiff drink/cocktail
informal
: very much : to an extreme degree
She was scared/bored stiff.
plural stiffs
informal
1
: the body of a dead person
2
US
a
: a person who you think is lucky, unlucky, etc.
You lucky stiff!
That poor stiff never gets a break.
b
: an ordinary or dull person
(disapproving) He's OK but his friends are a bunch of stiffs.
They have the kind of luxuries the average working stiff can't afford.
stiffs; stiffed; stiffing
US, informal
: to not give as much money as you should give to (someone)
He stiffed the waiter on the tip. [=he didn't give the waiter a tip or he gave a tip that was too small]
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/stiff. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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