Pronunciation: /stɪf/

Definitions of stiff

noun a dead body or corpse

Example Sentences

A1 I need a new stiff for my golf clubs.

A2 The doctor recommended a stiff for my back.

B1 She always carries a stiff in her purse for emergencies.

B2 The detective found a stiff in the abandoned warehouse.

C1 The stiff of the contract stated that all payments must be made within 30 days.

C2 The stiff of the law prohibits discrimination based on race or gender.

adjective not moving easily or freely; difficult to bend or stretch

Example Sentences

A1 The new shoes were too stiff and uncomfortable.

A2 She walked with a stiff posture, looking nervous.

B1 The company has a stiff policy on tardiness.

B2 The competition was stiff, but she managed to win.

C1 His stiff demeanor made it difficult to approach him.

C2 The negotiations were stiff, with neither side willing to compromise.

adverb in a rigid or inflexible manner

Example Sentences

A1 She stood stiffly at the front of the class during her presentation.

A2 The new shoes felt stiff on his feet as he walked around the store.

B1 He greeted his boss stiffly, unsure of how to act in the formal setting.

B2 The old book's pages had become stiff with age, making them difficult to turn.

C1 The politician's speech came across as stiff and rehearsed, lacking authenticity.

C2 Despite her best efforts, her body language remained stiff and unapproachable during the meeting.

Examples of stiff in a Sentence

formal The board members were all very stiff during the meeting.

informal I can't dance with you, my back is too stiff.

slang I need to stretch, my muscles are feeling stiff.

figurative His demeanor was so stiff, he couldn't even crack a smile.

Grammatical Forms of stiff

past tense

stiffed

plural

stiffs

comparative

stiffer

superlative

stiffest

present tense

stiff

future tense

will stiff

perfect tense

have stiffed

continuous tense

is stiffing

singular

stiff

positive degree

stiff

infinitive

to stiff

gerund

stiffing

participle

stiffed

Origin and Evolution of stiff

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'stiff' originated from Old English 'stif', meaning rigid or firm.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'stiff' has evolved to also mean lacking ease or flexibility in movement, as well as to describe a person who is formal or unfriendly in manner.