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   stiff

   /stɪf/

   adjective

   • 1. not easily bent or changed in shape; rigid: "a stiff black collar" Similar rigidhardfirmhardenedinelasticnon-flexibleinflexibleungivingrare:impliableunmalleableOpposite flexibleplasticlimp
   • ▪ (of a semi-liquid substance) viscous; thick: "add wheat until the mixture is quite stiff"
   • ▪ not moving as freely as is usual or desirable; difficult to turn or operate: "a stiff drawer"
   • ▪ (of a person or part of the body) unable to move easily and without pain: "he was stiff from sitting on the desk" Similar achingachypainfularthriticrheumatictauttightinformal:creakyrheumatickyrustyarchaic:starkOpposite supplelimber
   • ▪ (of a person or their manner) not relaxed or friendly; constrained: "she greeted him with stiff politeness" Similar formalreservedunfriendlychillycoldfrigidicyaustereunrelaxedbrittlestand-offishwoodenforcedconstrainedstrainedstiltedprimpunctiliousstuffyinformal:starchyuptightOpposite relaxedinformal
   • 2. severe or strong: "they face stiff fines and a possible jail sentence" Similar harshseverehardpunitivepunishingstringentswingeingcripplingrigorousdrasticstrongheavydraconianOpposite lenientmild
   • ▪ (of a wind) blowing strongly: "a stiff breeze stirring the lake" Similar strongvigorouspowerfulbriskfreshgustyhowlingOpposite gentle
   • ▪ requiring strength or effort; difficult: "a long stiff climb up the bare hillside" Similar difficulthardarduoustoughstrenuouslaboriousuphillexactingdemandingformidablechallengingpunishingback-breakinggruellingHerculeantiringfatiguingexhaustinginformal:killinghellishknackeringarchaic:toilsomeOpposite easy
   • ▪ (of an alcoholic drink) strong: "a stiff measure of brandy" Similar strongpotentalcoholicspirituousintoxicantOpposite weak
   • 3. full of: informal "the place is stiff with alarm systems"
   • 4. having a specified unpleasant feeling to an extreme extent: informal "she was scared stiff"

   noun

   • 1. a dead body.
   • 2. a boring, conventional person: North American "ordinary working stiffs in respectable offices"
   • 3. a sports club's reserve team. British

   verb

   • 1. cheat (someone) out of something, especially money: North American "several workers were stiffed out of their pay"
   • ▪ fail to leave (someone) a tip.
   • 2. ignore (someone) deliberately; snub: North American "the stars are notorious for stiffing their hosts and sponsors at banquets"
   • 3. kill (someone): "I want to get those pigs who stiffed your doctor"
   • ▪ (of a commercial venture or product) be unsuccessful: "as soon as he began singing about the wife and kids, his albums stiffed"

   Word Origin Old Englishstīf, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch stijf.

   Derivatives

   • 1. stiffish adjective

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • S

     1

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • F

     4

   • F

     4

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