# stiffness

/ˈstɪfnəs/ (US) · /stˈɪfnəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stiffness
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. physical rigidity

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of being firm and difficult to bend or move.

For teachers: the physical property of being rigid or resistant to deformation.

- 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.

### 2. muscle soreness

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of pain or difficulty moving your muscles, usually after exercise.

For teachers: muscular tension or soreness resulting from physical exertion or remaining in one position for too long.

- 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.

### 3. formal behavior

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a way of behaving or speaking that is very formal and not relaxed.

For teachers: a lack of ease or naturalness in social interaction or artistic expression.

- 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.

## Examples

- I have some stiffness in my neck after sleeping poorly.
- The physical therapist recommended daily stretching to reduce the stiffness in the patient's lower back.
- Engineers must calculate the stiffness of the structural beams to ensure the bridge can withstand high winds without excessive vibration or catastrophic failure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.