stiff

[US]/stɪf/
[UK]/stɪf/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

adj. severe; rigid; hard; reserved; difficult
adv. completely; rigidly
n. corpse; unpleasant person; circulating bill; laborer
vt. treat unfairly, as a servant, etc.
vi. fail miserably in business.

Phrases & Collocations

stiff upper lip

stiff competition

stiff penalty

stiff muscles

stiff breeze

stiff drink

stiff collar

stiff back

stiff posture

stiff with

stiff neck

stiff resistance

Example Sentences

a stiff current; a stiff breeze.

a stiff hike; a stiff examination.

a stiff black collar.

a stiff increase in taxes.

a stiff measure of brandy.

The jelly is not stiff enough.

a stiff teakwood chair

the place is stiff with alarm systems.

lie stiff and stark in death

It was a stiff climb to the top of the hill.

There is a sheet of stiff cardboard in the drawer.

Real-world Examples

Now, the classic triad of meningitis symptoms are headaches, fevers, and nuchal rigidity, or neck stiffness.

Source: Osmosis - Nerve

That boy's more stiff than michele bachmann's husband at a chippendales.

Source: 2 Broke Girls Season 1

Stand naturally, not too stiff or slumped.

Source: Learning charging station

With rheumatoid arthritis, morning stiffness usually lasts longer than 1 hour.

Source: Osmosis - Musculoskeletal

I know they come off a little stiff.

Source: TV series Person of Interest Season 3

The company faces stiff competition, doesn't it?

Source: BEC Intermediate Listening Real Exam Questions (Volume 4)

In 60 seconds, the boiled noodles were frozen stiff.

Source: CNN 10 Student English of the Month

I was bored stiff, meaning...stiff is like when you can't move.

Source: Leila and Sabrah's idioms English class

“But why's she all—all stiff and frozen? ”

Source: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Finally, with meningitis, there may be headaches, fever, and a stiff neck.

Source: Osmosis - Microorganisms

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