Word
stiffness
Phoneticsstiff·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstɪfnəs/
UK/stˈɪfnəs/
Definitions
01physical rigidity
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the quality of being firm and difficult to bend or move.
n. the physical property of being rigid or resistant to deformation.
Español:rigidez
“The new leather boots were uncomfortable at first because of their stiffness.”
“The structural integrity of the bridge depends on the stiffness of the steel beams used in the primary support frame.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the general property; countable when referring to specific instances.
Antonyms
02muscle soreness
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Medicine
n. a feeling of pain or difficulty moving your muscles, usually after exercise.
n. muscular tension or soreness resulting from physical exertion or remaining in one position for too long.
Español:agujetas
“I woke up with a lot of stiffness in my legs after the long hike yesterday.”
“Patients often report joint stiffness in the morning, which typically subsides after a few minutes of light activity.”
Antonyms
03formal behavior
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. a way of behaving or speaking that is very formal and not relaxed.
n. a lack of ease or naturalness in social interaction or artistic expression.
Español:rigidez
“There was a certain stiffness in his voice when he greeted his old rival.”
“The critic noted a peculiar stiffness in the actor's performance, suggesting he had not yet fully inhabited the character's emotional landscape.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“They can include muscle and joint aches, stiffness and swelling, reduced strength and pins and needles.” Etymology
From Middle English stiffenes, styffenesse, styfnesse; equivalent to stiff + -ness. Perhaps merging with Middle English stithnesse, stithnysse, from Old English stīþness (“stiffness”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/stiffness
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0