verb
stiffen
STIH-fuhn
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
Word Forms
stiffened past tense, stiffens singular
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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".