STIFF
What does "STIFF" mean?
Not easily bent; rigid and resistant to movement.
Meanings
- Firm and difficult to bend or move. The new boots were stiff and rubbed his heels.
- Aching and lacking suppleness, as muscles after exertion. My neck is stiff after sleeping at a bad angle.
- Formal, awkward, or lacking warmth in manner. His speech was polite but stiff.
- Severe, strong, or difficult in degree. They faced stiff competition and a stiff penalty.
- To cheat someone of money owed, especially a tip or payment. The table left and stiffed the waiter. informal
Word origin
From Old English 'stif' meaning rigid or unbending, from a Proto-Germanic root shared with Dutch 'stijf' and German 'steif'.
Remember it
STIFF has two F's standing up straight and rigid in the middle, like a board that won't bend.
A little poem
The drink is stiff, the collar stiffer still-
and stiffest is the man who won't bend will.
couplet
Wordplay
- I gave the mannequin a firm handshake. Honestly, the whole encounter felt a little stiff.
What it teaches
Rigidity feels like strength right up to the moment the wind decides otherwise.
Quick facts
What does STIFF mean?
Not easily bent; rigid and resistant to movement.
Is STIFF a valid word?
Yes — STIFF is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is STIFF?
STIFF has 5 letters and 1 syllable.
Where does STIFF come from?
From Old English 'stif' meaning rigid or unbending, from a Proto-Germanic root shared with Dutch 'stijf' and German 'steif'.
What can STIFF teach us?
Rigidity feels like strength right up to the moment the wind decides otherwise.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.