rigid

adjective

rig·​id ˈri-jəd 

1

a

: deficient in or devoid of flexibility

rigid price controls

a rigid bar of metal

b

: appearing stiff and unyielding

his face rigid with pain

2

a

: inflexibly set in opinion

b

: strictly observed

adheres to a rigid schedule

3

: firmly inflexible rather than lax or indulgent

a rigid disciplinarian

4

: precise and accurate in procedure

rigid control of the manufacturing process

5

of an airship : having the outer shape maintained by a fixed framework

rigidly adverb

rigidness noun

Synonyms of rigid

• strict
• rigorous

Choose the Right Synonym for rigid

rigid, rigorous, strict, stringent mean extremely severe or stern.

rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.

rigid rules of conduct

rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.

the rigorous training of recruits

strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.

strict enforcement of the law

stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.

stringent standards of admission

synonyms see in addition stiff

Examples of rigid in a Sentence

The patient's legs were rigid.

He is a rigid disciplinarian.

Recent Examples on the Web

The downsides of private student loans include higher interest rates and fees, fewer opportunities for loan forgiveness and more rigid repayment terms than federal loans. — Amy Deyoung, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026

The frame of this printer is rigid and stout to minimize error-inducing vibration during printing; HeyGears says layer positioning errors are no more than 2 microns. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

The roommates didn’t begin with a detailed mood board or rigid decorating plan, either. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026

Yet the way the United States buys and deploys military technology is, like the rigid, Soviet-style five-year plans that even China and Russia have long since jettisoned, mind-numbingly bureaucratic. — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rigide, from Latin rigidus, from rigēre to be stiff

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for rigid

• frigid

Kids Definition

rigid

adjective

rig·​id ˈrij-əd 

1

: not flexible : stiff, hard

2

a

: very fixed in one's opinion or habits : unyielding

b

: carefully observed : scrupulous

follows a rigid exercise program

3

: exact and accurate in procedure

rigidity

rə-ˈjid-ət-ē

noun

rigidly

ˈrij-əd-lē

adverb

rigidness noun

Etymology

from Latin rigidus, "rigid," from rigēre "to be stiff" — related to rigor mortis

Medical Definition

rigid

adjective

rig·​id ˈrij-əd 

: deficient in or devoid of flexibility : characterized by stiffness

rigid muscles