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

Other Word Forms

• unstilted adjective
• stiltedness noun
• stiltedly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of stilted¹

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

Example Sentences

She wisely knows that her relationship to her mother’s legacy and memory is too stilted, and thus, she begins by sitting her siblings down to have candid talks with those who knew Mansfield better.

Read more on Salon

But just down the 5 Freeway in Anaheim, the home of Disney, the hottest ticket in baseball this weekend belongs to a stilted pitcher, juggling infielders and a yellow-suited, top hat-wearing carnival barker.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This campaign season, PAP ministers better known for stilted pre-written speeches have also been filming skits with social media influencers and sitting down for long conversations on podcasts.

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• formal 
• labored 
• overblown 
• pompous 
• sonorous