26984 words

stiffs

26 definitions • 45 examples
1
firm or hard:

Examples:

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:

5

Examples:

They are campaigning for stiffer penalties for people who drink and drive.
It's a stiff climb to the top of the hill.
Some colleges have stiffer entry requirements than others.
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:

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:
25
very high:

Examples:

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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