stiff
Translation
rigid, firm, difficult, formal
Examples
My neck is stiff this morning.
My neck is stiff this morning.
The competition will be stiff.
The competition will be stiff.
He gave a stiff, formal bow.
He gave a stiff, formal bow.
Beat the egg whites until stiff.
Beat the egg whites until stiff.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) is stiff to describe a body part as rigid My neck is stiff this morning.
((sth.)) is stiff to describe competition as difficult The competition will be stiff.
Similar Words
Synonyms: rigid, hard, firm; Antonyms: flexible, soft, relaxed
Etymology
From Old English 'stif', meaning rigid.
Memory Tips
Imagine a wooden staff that is very stiff and doesn't bend.