[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/stiff/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / stiff # stiff adjective (stiffer, stiffest); adverb (bored stiff, scared stiff) «stiff» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Stiff means hard and not easy to bend or move. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#m1) 2. If your body is stiff, your muscles or joints hurt and are hard to move. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#m2) 3. Stiff means difficult or strong, like a stiff test or a stiff wind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#m3) 4. Stiff behaviour is too formal and not friendly or relaxed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#m4) 5. Bored stiff or scared stiff means very bored or very scared. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#m5) 6. Stiff can also mean stubborn and refusing to give way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#m6) ### In the lessons In science, stiff materials like card or metal do not bend easily; they are useful for supports and frames. In health, muscles are stiff after hard exercise, so stretch and warm up. A stiff neck with a fever and rash can be a sign of serious illness and needs a doctor. In cooking, beat egg whites until stiff. Phrases: a stiff neck, stiff as a board, bored stiff, a stiff breeze, stiff competition. ### Examples - The new shoes are stiff and hurt my feet. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#x1) - My legs were stiff after the long walk. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#x2) - Cardboard is stiffer than paper. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#x3) - I woke up with a stiff neck. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#x4) - A stiff wind blew across the field. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#x5) - The test was stiff, but I passed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#x6) - I was scared stiff during the film. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#x7) - Who's a gwine fer ter stan' stiff-kneed en bol'. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/#x8) ### Note Adverb: stiffly. Noun: stiffness. Opposite: flexible or soft. Do not confuse stiff with "staff" (people who work somewhere). ## In Jewish tradition "Stiff neck" is a figure of speech for stubbornness, like an animal that will not bend its neck to the yoke. **Interpretation.** Tradition reads "stiff-necked" as Israel's famous stubbornness, which Moses warns about before his death. Some teachers say the same stubbornness can also be a strength, because it helps the people hold on to their faith. ### Examples - For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck; behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death? (Torah DEU.31.27, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stiff/#x1) - He runneth upon him with a stiff neck, with the thick bosses of his bucklers. (Writings JOB.15.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stiff/#x2) - He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and all his bones grow stiff; (Writings JOB.33.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stiff/#x3) - yet they hearkened not unto Me, nor inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff; they did worse than their fathers. (Prophets JER.7.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stiff/#x4) ### Note Adverb: stiffly. Noun: stiffness. Opposite: flexible or soft. Do not confuse stiff with "staff" (people who work somewhere). ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «stiff» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stiff/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«stiff» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/stiff.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «stiff» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stiff/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«stiff» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/stiff.html) on Mova free.