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Stringent

/ˈstrɪndʒənt/

adjectiveC1

Definition

Stringent describes rules, laws, or conditions that are very tight and must be followed exactly. When something is stringent, there is little room for mistakes or freedom. It often relates to strict control or strong demands.

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See It in Action

Very strict or severe rules or conditions

  • •The company has stringent safety rules to protect workers.
  • •The government imposed stringent laws to reduce pollution.
  • •Schools may have stringent dress codes that students must follow.

Strong or tight control over something

  • •The bank applies stringent checks before giving loans.
  • •There are stringent quality controls in this factory.
  • •The visa process is stringent to prevent illegal entry.

Make It Stick

  • ✓Think of "stringent" like "strict" (A2 word), but much stronger and more serious—like strict with no exceptions
  • ✓Picture a tight rope (string) pulled very hard so it cannot move or bend easily—this shows how strict or tight the rules are
  • ✓It's the feeling when your teacher or boss expects perfect work without any mistakes or excuses
  • ✓Sounds like "STRING-ent" → imagine a strong string holding everything tightly so nothing can slip away
  • ✓Think of a security guard checking every detail carefully, not allowing anything wrong to pass
  • ✓NOT like "easy" (loose rules), "stringent" means very hard and tight rules
  • ✓NOT like "flexible" (can change), "stringent" means no changes allowed
  • ✓NOT like "simple" (easy to follow), "stringent" means complicated and demanding careful attention

Try Other Words

  • •Strict: very firm rules or demands (Use when rules are serious but less formal or intense)
  • •Rigorous: thorough and exact (Use when emphasizing careful and detailed checking or testing)
  • •Severe: very harsh or strong (Use when the rules or conditions cause strong effects or punishments)
  • •Tough: difficult to meet or follow (Use in informal contexts for hard rules or conditions)

Unboxing

  • •Word parts: Possibly from Latin root "stringere" meaning "to bind tight" or "draw tight"
  • •Etymology: From Latin "stringere" (to draw tight, bind) + suffix "-ent" (forming adjectives)
  • •Historical development: Used since the 15th century in English to describe tight or strict conditions
  • •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe strict laws, rules, controls, or conditions in business, law, and daily life
  • •Key insight: The word relates to the idea of binding or holding tightly, not allowing freedom or looseness

Reflect & Connect

•Can rules be too stringent? How do you know when strictness is helpful or harmful?
•How do you feel when you face stringent conditions? Does it motivate you or make you stressed?

Fill in the blanks

1.The school has stringent ___ on attendance, so students must come every day without excuses.
2.Because the rules were stringent, there was ___ room for mistakes or exceptions.
3.The company’s stringent safety measures were put in place to ___ accidents.
4.Unlike flexible policies, stringent regulations require ___ following without changes.
5.When the bank applies stringent checks, it means they ___ every detail carefully.
6.Stringent laws are often used to protect the environment from ___ damage.
7.If a test is stringent, it usually means the questions are ___ and require careful answers.