STIFF
Dictionary entry overview: What does stiff mean?
• STIFF (noun)
The noun STIFF has 2 senses:
1. an ordinary man
2. the dead body of a human being
Familiarity information: STIFF used as a noun is rare.
• STIFF (adjective)
The adjective STIFF has 7 senses:
1. not moving or operating freely
2. powerful
3. rigidly formal
4. having a strong physiological or chemical effect
5. marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
6. incapable of or resistant to bending
7. very drunk
Familiarity information: STIFF used as an adjective is common.
• STIFF (adverb)
The adverb STIFF has 2 senses:
1. extremely
2. in a stiff manner
Familiarity information: STIFF used as an adverb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
• STIFF (noun)
Meaning:
An ordinary man
Classified under:
Nouns denoting people
Context examples:
a lucky stiff / a working stiff
Hypernyms ("stiff" is a kind of...):
adult male; man (an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman))
Meaning:
The dead body of a human being
Classified under:
Nouns denoting body parts
Synonyms:
cadaver; corpse; remains; stiff; clay
Context examples:
the cadaver was intended for dissection / the end of the police search was the discovery of a corpse / the murderer confessed that he threw the stiff in the river / honor comes to bless the turf that wraps their clay
Hypernyms ("stiff" is a kind of...):
body; dead body (a natural object consisting of a dead animal or person)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stiff"):
cremains (the remains of a dead body after cremation)
Domain usage:
slang (a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves))
• STIFF (adjective)
Meaning:
Not moving or operating freely
Context example:
a stiff hinge
Similar:
immobile (not capable of movement or of being moved)
Meaning:
Powerful
Context examples:
a stiff current / a stiff breeze
Similar:
strong (having strength or power greater than average or expected)
Meaning:
Rigidly formal
Synonyms:
buckram; starchy; stiff
Context examples:
a starchy manner / the letter was stiff and formal / his prose has a buckram quality
Similar:
formal (being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress))
Meaning:
Having a strong physiological or chemical effect
Synonyms:
potent; stiff; strong
Context examples:
a potent toxin / potent liquor / a potent cup of tea / a stiff drink
Similar:
equipotent (having equal strength or efficacy)
multipotent (able to many things)
Also:
powerful (having great power or force or potency or effect)
effective; effectual; efficacious (producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect)
fertile (capable of reproducing)
Attribute:
effectiveness; potency; strength (capacity to produce strong physiological or chemical effects)
Meaning:
Marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
Synonyms:
unfaltering; unbendable; unwavering; steadfast; firm; unshakable; steady; stiff
Context examples:
firm convictions / a firm mouth / steadfast resolve / a man of unbendable perseverence / unwavering loyalty
Similar:
resolute (firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination)
Meaning:
Incapable of or resistant to bending
Synonyms:
rigid; stiff
Context examples:
a rigid strip of metal / a table made of rigid plastic / a palace guardsman stiff as a poker / stiff hair / a stiff neck
Similar:
inflexible (resistant to being bent)
Meaning:
Very drunk
Synonyms:
sloshed; smashed; sozzled; squiffy; tiddley; tiddly; tipsy; slopped; crocked; besotted; blind drunk; blotto; pie-eyed; fuddled; pissed; soused; soaked; pixilated; potty; plastered; cockeyed; loaded; wet; stiff; tight
Similar:
drunk; inebriated; intoxicated (stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol))
Domain usage:
argot; cant; jargon; lingo; patois; slang; vernacular (a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves))
• STIFF (adverb)
Meaning:
Extremely
Context examples:
bored stiff / frightened stiff
Meaning:
In a stiff manner
Synonyms:
stiffly; stiff
Context example:
his hands lay stiffly
