stiff

Something that's stiff does not bend or move easily, like a shirt fresh from ironing or legs that feel tight after a long run. It is often used for the body too: you might wake up with a stiff neck or feel stiff after sitting too long. The word can also describe a person who seems very formal, serious, or not relaxed, like someone who stands in a stiff way and does not smile much.

It can also mean strong or severe in some situations. A stiff wind is strong and cold, and a stiff penalty is harsh. In everyday English, a stiff drink is one with a lot of alcohol. These uses all share the same general feeling of hardness, tension, or a lack of ease.

The word stiff carries multiple meanings, all revolving around a lack of flexibility, ease, or yielding. Primarily, it describes something that is not easily bent or moved—rigid and unyielding. This applies to objects like a stiff board or a stiff rope, as well as the human body, such as muscles feeling stiff after an intense workout. This physical rigidity can be a temporary condition or an inherent property of the material itself.

Beyond the physical, stiff is frequently used to describe a personality that is formal, reserved, and lacking in warmth or spontaneity. A stiff person might avoid casual conversation, adhere strictly to etiquette, and appear uncomfortable expressing their feelings. In a social context, this can be interpreted as a sign of professionalism, aloofness, or even arrogance.

The term also characterizes things that are severe or intense. A stiff penalty for breaking the rules is one that is harsh and uncompromising, much like a stiff warning. In meteorology, a stiff breeze is strong and biting, lacking any gentle quality. Furthermore, in the world of beverages, a stiff drink refers to a particularly potent serving of alcohol.

Finally, "stiff" appears in various idiomatic and informal ways. As a verb, to "stiff" someone means to cheat them out of money (like failing to leave a tip for a waiter). As a noun, "a stiff" is an informal, somewhat macabre term for a dead body. Whether describing physical inflexibility, social conduct, or the severity of consequences, stiff always implies a lack of ease or pliability.