stiff
65
5.1
- adjective
- /stɪf/
:
rígido
- But both of them had that stiff British upper lip, which is I'm terrified, but I'm fine.
- stiff competition
- stiff opposition
- stiff resistance
And when he goes to France, he's very like kind of stiff, you know, and tight.
- And when he goes to France, he's very like kind of stiff, you know, and tight.
- I'm expecting this like stiff government bureaucrat.
- But both of them had that stiff British upper lip, which is I'm terrified, but I'm fine.
- Again, one of those things I was raised to think British as Britishness was, was stiff upper lip.
- But really the world is that he's entering this world of like drug dealers and he's this kind of stiff call call or not even call it high school teacher.
Examples
-
He can come across as stiff in formal situations, avoiding casual conversation.
-
Clay, you're being too stiff.
-
You were a little stiff and you were certainly not speaking like the person we know now.
-
You end up looking like them, another stiff in a suit.
-
It's not that formal and stiff as to how it will be developed and implemented.
-
The decision shocked most white southern leaders and met with stiff opposition for years.
Academic text (1990) -
You have excellent manners and are always courteous, but you can be rather stiff at times.
Academic text (2012) -
The Provincial Government recently introduced stiff penalties for fish farmers who violate existing waste disposal regulations.
Academic text (1990) -
Politically, the formal NP government was very stiff in administration and very harsh to dissidents.
Academic text (2000) -
The presentation was a bit stiff, lacking the warmth of more relaxed speakers.
Synonyms
186
1.3
Firm and unlikely to be moved or upset
73
2.7
Showing strong determination and not changing your mind
70
4.2
Not willing to change ideas or ways of doing things
30
5.6
Loyal and firm in support that does not change
22
5.8
Being firm in belief or support that does not change
8
4.8
Very strong belief or feeling that cannot be changed
1
7.0
Not willing to change your mind even under pressure
1
6.6
Very formal and stiff in a way that makes people feel awkward
1
7.5
Always steady and showing no doubt or pause
A little formal and not warm in how someone acts
Antonyms
Idioms
Compounds
- Specialized
A plant with upright rough stems, narrow leaves, and large purple flowers that lives for many years
- Specialized
A plant with clusters of small bristly blue flowers native to eastern North America
How Formal
Surface Forms
Etymology
Stiff also grew from the same idea of being 'firm' or 'strong' (old stif), so when someone has a stiff manner they seem rigid, formal, or very determined. That's why stiff can mean lacking natural ease or showing firm resolve.