rigid

[ rij-id ]

adjective

1. stiff or unyielding; not pliant or flexible; hard:

   a rigid strip of metal.

   Synonyms: inflexible, firm, unbending

   Antonyms: elastic

2. firmly fixed or set.

   Synonyms: static, immovable

3. inflexible, strict, or severe:

   a rigid disciplinarian; rigid rules of social behavior.

   Synonyms: unyielding, stern, austere

   Antonyms: lax

4. exacting; thorough; rigorous:

   a rigid examination.

   Synonyms: demanding

5. so as to meet precise standards; stringent:

   lenses ground to rigid specifications.

   Synonyms: demanding

6. Mechanics. of, relating to, or noting a body in which the distance between any pair of points remains fixed under all forces; having infinite values for its shear modulus, bulk modulus, and Young's modulus.
7. Aeronautics.
   1. (of an airship or dirigible) having a form maintained by a stiff, unyielding structure contained within the envelope.
   2. pertaining to a helicopter rotor that is held fixedly at its root.

rigid

/ ˈrɪdʒɪd /

adjective

1. not bending; physically inflexible or stiff

   a rigid piece of plastic

2. unbending; rigorously strict; severe

   rigid rules

adverb

1. completely or excessively

   the lecture bored him rigid

Derived Forms

• ˈrigidly, adverb
• riˈgidity, noun

Other Words From

• ri·gidi·ty rigid·ness noun
• rigid·ly adverb
• over·rigid adjective
• over·rigid·ly adverb
• over·rigid·ness noun
• over·ri·gidi·ty noun
• sub·rigid adjective
• sub·rigid·ly adverb
• sub·rigid·ness noun
• subri·gidi·ty noun
• un·rigid adjective
• un·rigid·ly adverb
• un·rigid·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigid¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin rigidus, equivalent to rig(ēre) “to be stiff, stiffen” + -idus -id ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigid¹

C16: from Latin rigidus , from rigēre to be stiff

Synonym Study

See strict.

Example Sentences

For example, they adjust the stiffness of their muscles when they walk on a more rigid surface.

From Science Daily

"Because it was deep, we knew it wasn't smooshed easily so it must have had a pretty rigid body," Hughes said.

From Science Daily

Closed cell spray foam is rigid once set.

From BBC

Meter engineer, “Alan”, agrees with Octopus that the rules are too rigid.

From BBC

In the morning they found him cold and rigid.

From BBC

Related Words

• adamant
• austere
• definite
• exact
• fixed
• hard-line
• harsh
• inflexible
• intransigent
• rigorous
• solid
• stern
• stringent
• uncompromising
• unyielding

More About Rigid

What does rigid mean?

Rigid means stiff and inflexible. It can be used in both literal and figurative ways.

For example, a material like plastic might be described as rigid if it does not bend or bend easily. A person might be described as rigid if they are very strict and unwilling to bend the rules. Rules themselves can also be described as rigid if they are very strict or rigorous, as in The boarding school had a rigid set of rules designed to keep students in line. 

When used to describe a person or their personality as inflexible, rigid is almost always used negatively, as in Try not to be so rigid—you have to learn to go with the flow sometimes.

The related noun rigidity refers to the state or quality of being rigid in both literal and figurative senses.

Example: When using heavy acrylic paints, It’s best to paint on a rigid canvas so the paint won’t bleed and the canvas will hold its shape over time.

Where does rigid come from?

The first records of the word rigid come from around the mid-1500s. It comes from the Latin rigidus, from the verb rig(ēre), meaning “to be stiff” or “to stiffen.” The word rigor and rigorous are based on the same root, as is the first part of the medical term rigor mortis, which refers to the state of the body when it becomes rigid after death.

Close synonyms of rigid are inflexible, unbending, and stiff—all of which, like rigid, can also be used in both literal and figurative ways. The opposite of rigid is flexible, and it too can be used in a literal way, such as to describe bendable materials, or in a figurative way, such as to describe a person who is willing to adapt to a situation (which a rigid person is not).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to rigid?

• rigidity (noun)
• rigidness (noun)
• rigidly (adverb)
• rigidify (verb)
• rigidize (verb)

What are some synonyms for rigid?

• inflexible
• unbending
• stiff
• firm
• strict
• rigorous

What are some words that share a root or word element with rigid? 

 

• rigor

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing rigid?

 

• material
• structure
• personality
• unyielding
• motion
• rule
• regulation

How is rigid used in real life?

Rigid is commonly used in both literal and figurative ways. It’s often applied to stiff materials and inflexible people.

We love recycling rigid plastics, like yogurt and take-out containers – the number on the bottom doesn't matter. Be sure to rinse out! pic.twitter.com/BuJjnMgfYP

— NYC zerowaste (@NYCzerowaste) February 28, 2017

What I learned as an Autistic in 2-week isolation:

-My chronic anxiety ISN'T chronic at all, but directly linked to navigating a rigid social structure that doesn't understand/recognize my real needs/interests.

-Being alone isn't lonely. Being perpetually misunderstood is.

— Bibi / Aspergirl (@bibi_bilodeau) December 4, 2020

Almost everyone experiences some cognitive dissonance between who they think they are, who they fantasize about being, who they think they should be, and who others perceive. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Too much multilevel fusion leads to a rigid personality. #psychology pic.twitter.com/b0anLRPEXd

— Edward Craig, Kanaka Dharma (@NewMindMirror) February 6, 2019

 

 

Try using rigid!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of rigid?

A. strict
B. stiff
C. pliant
D. firm