Stiffly
/ˈstɪfli/
adverbB2
Definition
Stiffly describes how someone moves, speaks, or behaves in a rigid (not flexible) or formal way. It suggests a lack of ease or natural flow, often because of nervousness, coldness, or strictness. For example, walking stiffly means moving with little smoothness or flexibility.
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See It in Action
In a rigid or unbending way (usually about movement)
- •He stood stiffly, not wanting to show any weakness.
- •She walked stiffly after sitting for a long time.
- •The old man’s fingers moved stiffly because of cold.
In a formal or serious manner (usually about behavior or speech)
- •The teacher spoke stiffly to the students during the meeting.
- •He smiled stiffly, trying not to show his true feelings.
- •They greeted each other stiffly at the official event.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'stiffly' like 'slowly,' but with a hard or tight feeling instead of just speed
- ✓Picture a robot moving without bending its joints smoothly, looking mechanical and awkward
- ✓It's the feeling when you try to act serious or formal but feel a little uncomfortable inside
- ✓Sounds like 'stiff-lee' → imagine someone stiff as a board trying to dance, making awkward moves
- ✓Remember formal meetings where people stand or talk stiffly because they want to be serious and polite
- ✓NOT like 'freely' (easy and relaxed), stiffly means tense and controlled
- ✓NOT like 'smoothly' (flowing and soft), stiffly is rigid and sometimes uncomfortable
- ✓NOT like 'casually' (informal and relaxed), stiffly is formal or forced
Try Other Words
- •Awkwardly: in a way that is not smooth or graceful (Use when the movement or behavior seems clumsy or uncomfortable)
- •Formally: in a serious or official way (Use when stiffly means showing formality or politeness)
- •Rigidly: in a hard, unbending way (Use when stiffness is physical or strict)
- •Coldly: without warmth or friendliness (Use when stiffly shows emotional distance)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "stiff" (not flexible, hard) + suffix "-ly" (forms adverb, means "in a way")
- •Etymology: "stiff" comes from Old English "stif," meaning hard or firm
- •Historical development: "Stiff" has long described something hard or difficult to bend; "stiffly" appeared later to describe actions done in that way
- •Modern usage: Used to describe movements, speech, or behavior that is formal, tense, or not relaxed
- •Interesting fact: "Stiff" can also mean strong or severe, but "stiffly" focuses on the manner of doing something
Reflect & Connect
•How do you feel when someone speaks or moves stiffly around you? Does it change the way you understand them?
•Can stiffness in behavior ever be a good thing? When might acting stiffly help in social situations?
Fill in the blanks
1.After sitting for hours, he moved stiffly because his muscles were ___.
2.She answered the question stiffly, showing she was ___ or uncomfortable.
3.Unlike walking freely, walking stiffly means moving with little ___ or bending.
4.At the formal party, everyone greeted each other stiffly to show ___.
5.When people feel nervous, they often speak or act stiffly instead of ___.
6.The old man’s hands shook, but he held his cup stiffly to avoid ___ it.
7.Stiffly can describe both physical movement and ___ behavior or speech.