26984 words

stiff

26 definitions • 45 examples
1
firm or hard:

Examples:

stiff cardboard
a stiff collar
His clothes were stiff with dried mud.
This hair spray has made my hair stiff.
Mix the powder and water into a stiff paste.
2
not easily bent or moved:

Examples:

The handle on this door is rather stiff.
(as) stiff as a board The man's body was (as) stiff as a board when it was found in the snow.
3
If you are stiff or part of your body is stiff, your muscles hurt when they are moved:

Examples:

Sitting still at a computer terminal all day can give you a stiff neck.
4
behaving in a way that is formal and not relaxed:

Examples:

stiff manner The general is a tall man with steel spectacles and a stiff, pompous manner.
5

Examples:

The athlete was given a stiff punishment for using drugs.
They are campaigning for stiffer penalties for people who drink and drive.
stiff opposition/resistance There has been stiff opposition/resistance to the proposed tax increases.
It's a stiff climb to the top of the hill.
Some colleges have stiffer entry requirements than others.
stiff competition Both companies are worried about losing business in the face of stiff competition.
6

Examples:

We live near the ocean, where stiff breezes cleanse the air.
7
an alcoholic drink that is very strong:

Examples:

A stiff whisky - that's what I need.
8
A stiff price is very expensive:

Examples:

We had to pay a stiff membership fee to join the health club.
9
very much, or to a great degree:

Examples:

frozen stiff I got frozen stiff (= very cold) waiting at the bus stop.
scared stiff I was scared stiff when I heard someone moving around upstairs.
10
so that the ball comes close to the hole:

Examples:

hit it stiff She won the 17th after hitting it stiff for a birdie.
He hit his third shot stiff.
Woods played a great bunker shot, coming out stiff.
11
a person of the type described:

Examples:

a working stiff
you lucky stiff
12
a dead body:

Examples:

They found a stiff in the river.
13
to not pay someone money that you owe them:

Examples:

She stiffed the cab driver.
14
firm or hard and not bending or moving easily:

Examples:

He had stiff leather shoes on.
If the dough is stiff, add more sour cream.
15
If your body is stiff, you cannot move easily and your muscles hurt when moved:

Examples:

He was unable to turn his head because of a stiff neck.
16

Examples:

The performance was stiff and rather predictable.
You can’t be stiff with a guy who takes you into his confidence.
17
severe; difficult to deal with or do:

Examples:

The penalties for corruption are stiff.
Most of the team’s losses have come against stiff competition.
18

Examples:

A stiff wind beat against the house.
19
very much; to a great degree:

Examples:

I was scared stiff during the air raids.
20
a person of the type described:

Examples:

I’m just a working stiff.
You lucky stiff!
21
slang A stiff is also a dead person’s body.
22
to cheat someone out of money:

Examples:

She stiffed the taxi driver.
23
firm, hard, or not easily bent:

Examples:

We use stiff cardboard in all our packaging.
24
very strong or difficult to deal with:

Examples:

stiff opposition/resistance/competition There has been stiff opposition to the proposed tax increases.
25
very high:

Examples:

a stiff price/penalty/tariff Companies sometimes pay a stiff price for switching CEOs.
The minimum investment is a stiff $25,000.
26
to fail to pay someone money that you owe them, or to take more money from them than they owe:

Examples:

stiff sb out of sth Many temporary workers have experienced getting stiffed out of their pay.
Who doesn't feel stiffed when they've overpaid?

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