(~er, ~est)
1.
Something that is ~ is firm or does not bend easily.
His waterproof trousers were brand new and ~...
Clean the mussels with a ~ brush under cold running water.
= rigid
ADJ
~ly
Moira sat ~ly upright in her straight-backed chair.
ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v
2.
Something such as a door or drawer that is ~ does not move as easily as it should.
Train doors have handles on the inside. They are ~ so that they cannot be opened accidentally.
ADJ
3.
If you are ~, your muscles or joints hurt when you move, because of illness or because of too much exercise.
The Mud Bath is particularly recommended for relieving tension and ~ muscles...
I’m ~ all over right now–I hope I can recover for tomorrow’s race.
ADJ
~ly
He climbed ~ly from the Volkswagen.
ADV
4.
Stiff behaviour is rather formal and not very friendly or relaxed.
They always seemed a little awkward with each other, a bit ~ and formal.
ADJ
~ly
‘Why don’t you borrow your sister’s car?’ said Cassandra ~ly.
...a ~ly worded letter of complaint.
ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj
5.
Stiff can be used to mean difficult or severe.
The film faces ~ competition for the Best Film nomination...
Under Greece’s ~ anti-drugs laws they could face twenty years in jail.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
6.
A ~ drink is a large amount of a strong alcoholic drink.
...a ~ whisky.
= large
ADJ: ADJ n
7.
If you are bored ~, worried ~, or scared ~, you are extremely bored, worried, or scared. (INFORMAL)
Anna tried to look interested. Actually, she was bored ~...
ADV: adj ADV emphasis
•
Stiff is also an adjective.
Even if he bores you ~, it is good manners not to let him know it.
ADJ: v n ADJ