stodgy

[ stoj-ee ]

adjective

, stodg·i·er, stodg·i·est.

1. heavy, dull, or uninteresting; tediously commonplace; boring:

   a stodgy Victorian novel.

   Synonyms: prosaic, stuffy, tiresome

   Antonyms: exciting, lively

2. of a thick, semisolid consistency; heavy, as food.
3. stocky; thick-set.
4. old-fashioned; unduly formal and traditional:

   a stodgy old gentleman.

5. dull; graceless; inelegant:

   a stodgy business suit.

stodgy

/ ˈstɒdʒɪ /

adjective

1. (of food) heavy or uninteresting
2. excessively formal and conventional

Derived Forms

• ˈstodginess, noun
• ˈstodgily, adverb

Other Words From

• stodgi·ly adverb
• stodgi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stodgy¹

First recorded in 1815–25; stodge + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stodgy¹

C19: from stodge

Example Sentences

The first half against the Republic was excellent and brought two goals before a stodgy second half.

From BBC

Then came the rolling of the eyes and a shaking of the head, making clear to the world that he was less than impressed with the stodgy decorum of the House of Representatives.

From Seattle Times

Indeed, Amsterdam’s transformative new music and early music scenes developed in part as a rebellion to the stodgy Concertgebouw and all it stood for.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps I’m too old, too stodgy, or even too hairy to completely forsake the shirt.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think people feel gratified knowing that we can change. The reputation of the past was, you know, it was a little stodgy,” Yang said.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• boring
• monotonous
• pedantic
• plodding
• ponderous
• staid
• tedious