1stiff 
/ˈstɪf/ adjective
stiff·er; stiff·est /ˈstɪf/ adjective [also more stiff; most stiff] 1 a : difficult to bend or move
▪ stiff valves/cardboard/fabric ▪ stiff hairs/bristles ▪ The brush was as stiff as a board. [=very stiff]
b : painful to move or use
▪ stiff muscles ▪ a stiff back/neck ▪ When I got out of bed this morning my back was stiff as a board. ; also : showing pain in movement or use
▪ a stiff walk 2 : thick and difficult to stir or pour
▪ Beat the egg whites until they are stiff. ▪ stiff batter 3 : difficult, strict, or severe
▪ a stiff [=heavy] penalty/fine ▪ a stiff task/challenge ▪ stiff competition 4 : not graceful, relaxed, or friendly
▪ Our host seemed somewhat stiff. ▪ a stiff manner : too formal ▪ stiff writing/dialogue 5 : very expensive
▪ a stiff price 6 : strong and forceful
▪ a stiff wind/breeze ▪ The troops encountered stiff resistance. 7 : containing a lot of alcohol
▪ a stiff drink/cocktail
▪ stiff valves/cardboard/fabric ▪ stiff hairs/bristles ▪ The brush was as stiff as a board. [=very stiff]
b : painful to move or use
▪ stiff muscles ▪ a stiff back/neck ▪ When I got out of bed this morning my back was stiff as a board. ; also : showing pain in movement or use
▪ a stiff walk
▪ Beat the egg whites until they are stiff. ▪ stiff batter
▪ a stiff [=heavy] penalty/fine ▪ a stiff task/challenge ▪ stiff competition
▪ Our host seemed somewhat stiff. ▪ a stiff manner : too formal ▪ stiff writing/dialogue
▪ a stiff price
▪ a stiff wind/breeze ▪ The troops encountered stiff resistance.
▪ a stiff drink/cocktail
stiff upper lip
: a calm and determined attitude in a difficult situation
▪ She managed to keep a stiff upper lip even as everything fell apart.
▪ She managed to keep a stiff upper lip even as everything fell apart.
— stiff·ly adverb
▪ “Excuse me,” he said stiffly.
▪ “Excuse me,” he said stiffly.
— stiff·ness noun [noncount]
