adj
Uncommon
rigid
RIHJ-ihd
Rigid (adj) means Stiff and not easily bent. Example: “The frame is made of rigid steel tubing.”
adj
1
Stiff and not easily bent.
"The frame is made of rigid steel tubing."
"The box was too rigid to squeeze into the narrow gap."
"A rigid plastic case protects the camera from knocks."
2
Unwilling to change; strict and inflexible in behaviour or rules.
"Her rigid schedule left no room for surprises."
"He has a rigid view of how things should be done."
"The manager was rigid about deadlines and never allowed any extensions."
How to use rigid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPhysically stiff, or figuratively inflexible in attitude or rules.
Common pairings
rigid structure
rigid rules
rigid discipline
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Word forms
- Plural
- rigids
- Comparative
- rigider, more rigid
- Superlative
- rigidest, most rigid
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The frame is made of _____ steel tubing.
Etymology
From Latin rigidus (\"stiff\"), from rigeō (\"to be stiff\").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for rigid
See all rhymes for rigid →Frequently asked questions
What does “rigid” mean?
The word “rigid” means stiff and not easily bent. In plain terms, physically stiff, or figuratively inflexible in attitude or rules.
How do you pronounce “rigid”?
“Rigid” is pronounced RIHJ-ihd (/ˈɹɪd͡ʒ.ɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “rigid” in a sentence?
Here is “rigid” used in a sentence: “The frame is made of rigid steel tubing.”
What is another word for “rigid”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rigid” include Zeppelin.
What part of speech is “rigid”?
“Rigid” is an adjective.
Where does the word “rigid” come from?
The word “rigid” comes from Latin. From Latin rigidus (\"stiff\"), from rigeō (\"to be stiff\").
Is “rigid” a common word?
“Rigid” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “rigid” have?
“Rigid” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: stiff and not easily bent.
What is the difference between rigid and stiff?
Rigid and stiff both describe something that is not easily bent, but rigid more strongly implies a complete inability to bend or flex. Rigid is also commonly used figuratively for people or rules that are unwilling to change, a sense stiff shares less often.
What is the difference between rigid and strict?
Rigid describes behaviour or rules that are inflexible and resistant to any change. Strict emphasizes firm enforcement of rules, while rigid emphasizes an unwillingness to adapt or bend at all.
Can rigid describe both people and objects?
Yes. Rigid can describe a physical object that is stiff and does not bend, and it can also describe a person's behaviour when they are strict and inflexible about rules or habits.