stiffener

[ stif-uh-ner, stif-ner ]

noun

1. a person or thing that stiffens.
2. any substance, as starch or buckram, that serves to stiffen fabric.

Word History and Origins

Origin of stiffener¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; stiffen + -er ¹

Example Sentences

I particularly like shirts with long, pointed, soft collars without stiffeners, like men wore in the 1930s.

From New York Times

Over time, these museums have all acquired, or been given, a vast amount of objects — from hat stiffeners and uniforms to bayonets and artillery.

From Washington Post

He clearly believes they can deliver a title-challenging car and in a month marked by attempts to be abstemious, Verstappen’s signature is just the stiffener Red Bull and their engine supplier Honda required.

From The Guardian

These days you don’t need to, as lots of shirts have collar stiffeners in them.

From The Guardian

"I met him on the stairs. He told me it was a fine restorative and stiffener, and it would provide us with a night we should never forget."

From Literature

Related Words

• backing