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Stiffness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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stiffness

stiff-ness

🇺🇸 /ˈstɪfnəs/ · 🇬🇧 /stˈɪfnəs/

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

physical condition

The state or quality of being stiff; rigidness or inflexibility.

Synonyms

inflexibility, rigidity, rigidness.

Examples of usage

  • He woke up with stiffness in his neck after sleeping in an awkward position.
  • The stiffness in her joints made it difficult for her to bend down.
Context #2 | Noun

behavior

Lack of ease or friendliness in manner or expression.

Synonyms

awkwardness, formality, reserve.

Examples of usage

  • His stiffness in social situations made it hard for him to make new friends.
  • The stiffness in her tone indicated she was not open to discussion.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “stiffness”

Stiffness is a 2-syllable noun (stiff-ness). It is pronounced /ˈstɪfnəs/ in American English and /stˈɪfnəs/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 6 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #8,677 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'stiffness'

The word 'stiffness' originated in Middle English, derived from the Old English word 'stifnes'. It has been used since the 14th century to describe the physical condition of being stiff or rigid. Over time, its usage expanded to include behavioral aspects, referring to a lack of ease or friendliness. The word has retained its core meaning of rigidity while also encompassing social behavior.

See also: stiff, stiffen, stiffer, stiffly.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,677 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.