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
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.
"One way of reforming this rigid system is to start with our own families," said Norlina Rambu Jola Kalunga, 54, a noblewoman who inherited five atas when she married the son of a royal family.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
Job descriptions often make qualifications or requirements seem more rigid than they actually are, says Henna Pryor, a workplace-performance expert who worked as a recruiter for almost a decade.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026
There was a rigid social hierarchy, and I didn’t fit in anywhere.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
The lithosphere is the cold, rigid outer layer of Earth and includes both the crust and the uppermost mantle.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 28, 2026
“Yes, ma’am,” I said in my most rigid voice.
From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
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.
