Rigor
/ˈrɪɡər/
nounC1
Definition
Rigor is when someone or something is very strict, careful, and exact. It means following rules or plans very closely without mistakes or easy changes. People often use it to talk about hard work, serious study, or strict rules.
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See It in Action
Strictness or exactness in rules, work, or study
- •The scientist worked with great rigor to ensure accurate results.
- •The school demands academic rigor from all its students.
- •The project was completed with rigor and attention to detail.
Physical or mental difficulty, or severity
- •The athlete endured the rigor of intense training every day.
- •Surviving the winter required facing the rigor of cold weather.
- •The rigor of the exam made many students nervous.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'rigor' like 'strict' (A2 word), but more about carefulness and exactness in work or rules
- ✓Picture a teacher checking every answer carefully with no mistakes allowed
- ✓It's the feeling when you work hard and follow every step exactly to get the best result
- ✓Sounds like 'RIG-OR' → imagine a strong rig (like an oil rig) standing firm and steady, not moving or changing easily
- ✓Think of a strict coach who makes players practice hard and follow all rules exactly
- ✓NOT like 'easy' (which means simple and relaxed), rigor means serious and demanding
- ✓NOT like 'loose' (not strict), rigor means very tight control or exactness
- ✓NOT like 'rough' (not smooth), rigor means careful and precise, not careless or messy
Try Other Words
- •Strictness: being very exact and firm with rules (Use when focusing on rules or discipline)
- •Severity: harshness or difficulty (Use when talking about hard conditions or tough situations)
- •Precision: exactness in details (Use when emphasizing careful and exact work)
- •Thoroughness: doing something completely and carefully (Use when focusing on detailed and complete work)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; root word is 'rigor')
- •Etymology: From Latin 'rigor' meaning stiffness, strictness, or firmness
- •Historical development: Originally meant stiffness or hardness; later used for strictness and exactness in work or rules
- •Modern usage: Used in education, science, work, and describing difficult conditions or strict rules
- •Key insight: Rigor means both strictness and careful exactness, like being firm and unchanging in standards
Reflect & Connect
•How does rigor help people achieve good results in work or study?
•Can too much rigor ever be a problem? When might being too strict or exact cause difficulties?
Fill in the blanks
1.Scientists must apply rigor ___ their experiments to get correct results.
2.The rigor of the winter made it difficult for people to ___ outside.
3.Unlike casual study, academic rigor requires ___ attention and effort.
4.The coach's rigor ___ the team to improve their skills every day.
5.When there is less rigor in rules, people may feel ___ about following them.
6.The project was finished with rigor, showing ___ in every detail.
7.Rigor often means being ___ and exact, not loose or easy.