rigid
Americanadjective
-
stiff or unyielding; not pliant or flexible; hard.
a rigid strip of metal.
- Synonyms:
- inflexible, firm, unbending
- Antonyms:
- elastic
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firmly fixed or set.
-
inflexible, strict, or severe.
a rigid disciplinarian; rigid rules of social behavior.
- Synonyms:
- unyielding, stern, austere
- Antonyms:
- lax
-
exacting; thorough; rigorous.
a rigid examination.
- Synonyms:
- demanding
-
so as to meet precise standards; stringent.
lenses ground to rigid specifications.
- Synonyms:
- demanding
-
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.
-
Aeronautics.
-
(of an airship or dirigible) having a form maintained by a stiff, unyielding structure contained within the envelope.
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pertaining to a helicopter rotor that is held fixedly at its root.
-
adjective
-
not bending; physically inflexible or stiff
a rigid piece of plastic
-
unbending; rigorously strict; severe
rigid rules
adverb
Usage
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.
Synonym Usage
See strict.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of rigid
First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin rigidus, equivalent to rig(ēre) “to be stiff, stiffen” + -idus -id 4
Explanation
Describe something as rigid if it's really stiff and not very flexible, like a super-strict practice schedule or an unbending, uncomfortable mattress. The adjective rigid is actually related to the Latin word frigus, which means “cold.” So think of a rigid icicle or a rock-hard igloo to help you remember what rigid means. You can also use it to describe something that's particularly strict or unable to change, like the stubborn views of a person who just won't consider another perspective.
Vocabulary lists containing rigid
The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 6
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The Cay
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In contrast, the rigid ideologies of homogenous teams “constrain portfolio choice” and make it less likely that the funds will “adapt to novel or changing environments.”
From MarketWatch • Jun. 12, 2026
Its elongated body, thick rigid scales, powerful tail fin, and large upward-facing mouth all point to an active predator near the top of the food chain.
From Science Daily • Jun. 12, 2026
The rigid roof panel helps attenuate the little engine’s effortful ringadingding, which loses its charm after hour four or so.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
Rhodes, 63, founded Sun Space in 2017 as a performance art venue for wayward artists who don’t properly fit the rigid mold of the Los Angeles club and bar circuit.
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
Moss could see her gripping the edge of the pulpit, her fingers tense and rigid, and he moved back to stand next to Javier.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
