Laxi Dictionary

English Dictionary

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Definition stiff in British English

stiff adjective

adjective
/stɪf/
1

if you are stiff, or if a part of your body is stiff, you feel pain in your muscles and cannot move easily

Example

Her fingers were getting stiff.

Example

My leg muscles always feel stiff after a long bike ride.

Example

She was suffering from a stiff neck.

2

if something that should move easily is stiff, it does not move or operate as easily as you expect

Example

The drawer was rather stiff, so I pulled at it.

Example

The hinges of the box were stiff with lack of use.

Synonyms and related words
stillstaticstationary
Example

a stiff piece of card

Example

a small stiff brush

Example

The washing on the line was frozen and stiff as a board.

Synonyms and related words
solidstiffhard
4

a mixture that is stiff is very thick and keeps its shape when you stop mixing it

Example

Beat in the icing sugar to make a stiff paste.

Example

Whisk the egg whites until stiff.

Synonyms and related words
absorbentastringentharsh
5

formal and controlled in a way that is not friendly or relaxed

Example

Her tone was a little stiff, I thought.

Example

His face was stiff with disapproval.

Example

He looked stiff and awkward in his new suit.

Synonyms and related words
unfriendlycoldhostile
6

more severe or difficult than usual

Example

Jarvis is up against some stiff competition in this race.

Example

The government forces met with stiff resistance in the north.

Example

Those caught breaking the new law face stiff fines.

Synonyms and related words
the nuclear optionserioussevere
7

a stiff drink contains a lot of alcohol

Synonyms and related words
alcoholicblackcarbonated
Definition stiff in British English