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

Other Word Forms

• rigidity noun
• rigidness noun
• rigidly adverb
• overrigid adjective
• overrigidly adverb
• overrigidness noun
• overrigidity noun
• subrigid adjective
• subrigidly adverb
• subrigidness noun
• subrigidity noun
• unrigid adjective
• unrigidly adverb
• unrigidness 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

Hamby said he believes solutions lie in a compromise between the upper and lower states, but that will require all of them to stop clinging to “their most aggressive and rigid dreamland legal positions.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This, though, is far from the only way that the Hegseths live that seems to contradict their rigid Christian right ideology.

Read more on Salon

"We never have that kind of mindset about ourselves in the sense that, we're not rigid in how we go about things," McCullum told the For the Love of Cricket podcast.

Read more on BBC

He added that those who have already overcome personal hurdles should not face additional barriers, such as rigid exam policies or being unfairly penalised throughout their careers.

Read more on BBC

Born in a pre-war era of rigid traditions and styles, his creations followed - and helped make possible - increasing social fluidity in the latter half of the 20th Century.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.