verb
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stiffen
STIH-fuhn
Stiffen (verb) means to make something rigid or less flexible. Example: “Starch stiffens the collar so it holds its shape.”
verb
1
To make something rigid or less flexible.
"Starch stiffens the collar so it holds its shape."
"Cold weather stiffens the leather of old boots."
2
To become rigid, tense, or less flexible.
"Her shoulders stiffened as soon as she heard his name."
"The rope stiffens once it freezes overnight."
How to use stiffen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo turn rigid or firm, whether that is fabric, muscles, or someone's posture.
Common pairings
stiffen with cold
muscles stiffen
stiffen the resolve
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- stiffens
- Past tense
- stiffened
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Starch _____ the collar so it holds its shape.
Etymology
From Middle English stifnen — "stiff" plus the verb-forming ending "-en", same pattern as "harden" or "soften".
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “stiffen” mean?
The word “stiffen” means to make something rigid or less flexible. In plain terms, to turn rigid or firm, whether that is fabric, muscles, or someone's posture.
How do you pronounce “stiffen”?
“Stiffen” is pronounced STIH-fuhn (/ˈstɪfən/ in IPA).
How do you use “stiffen” in a sentence?
Here is “stiffen” used in a sentence: “Starch stiffens the collar so it holds its shape.”
What is another word for “stiffen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stiffen” include starken.
What part of speech is “stiffen”?
“Stiffen” is a verb.
Where does the word “stiffen” come from?
The word “stiffen” comes from Middle English. From Middle English stifnen — "stiff" plus the verb-forming ending "-en", same pattern as "harden" or "soften".
How many meanings does “stiffen” have?
“Stiffen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something rigid or less flexible.
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