stilted

[ stil-tid ]

adjective

1. stiffly dignified or formal, as speech or literary style; pompous.

   Synonyms: constrained, stuffy, mannered, wooden

2. Architecture. (of an arch) resting on imposts treated in part as downward continuations of the arch.

stilted

/ ˈstɪltɪd /

adjective

1. (of speech, writing, etc) formal, pompous, or bombastic
2. not flowing continuously or naturally

   stilted conversation

3. architect (of an arch) having vertical piers between the impost and the springing

Derived Forms

• ˈstiltedness, noun
• ˈstiltedly, adverb

Other Word Forms

• un·stilted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stilted¹

First recorded in 1610–20; stilt + -ed ³

Example Sentences

They jutted their hips in ways that seemed stilted, like baby deer learning to walk, while their arms hovered elegantly, undulating like swan wings.

From Los Angeles Times

Why do American actors sound so stilted when playing characters from the 19th century when British actors sound so natural?

From Los Angeles Times

Even a decent award show can suffer from stilted writing.

From Salon

In a sometimes stilted and, at times, surprising conversation, one surreal moment came when Weidel asked Mr Musk if he believed in God.

From BBC

Her dialogue feels as stilted as her delivery.

From Salon

Related Words

• formal
• labored
• overblown
• pompous
• sonorous