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

Beyond that, how will China evolve its rigid Internet policy?

From The Daily Beast

Bound together by mutual distrust, both sides end up lashing themselves to the mast of rigid law.

From The Daily Beast

Doctors are prohibited from doing what a patient needs by rigid practice guidelines.

From The Daily Beast

The man behind the desk is a fictional character—a ferocious patriot exposing the limits of rigid ideology.

From The Daily Beast

Or have gender roles in stories become fewer and more rigid?

From The Daily Beast

In all business matters he required a rigid economy though never at the expense of efficiency.

From Project Gutenberg

Before her pencil he sat rigid and unflinching, as he had faced the cannon's mouth in days gone by.

From Project Gutenberg

Every movement rigidly prescribed, arms held rigid and sharply bent at the elbows.

From Project Gutenberg

The baggage is then taken to the Custom-house in a steam-launch for examination, which is not unduly rigid.

From Project Gutenberg

Then there was a faint pulsation of the rigid limbs, the white, mean face took on a tinge as if the blood were flowing again.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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