rigid
Americanadjective
-
stiff or unyielding; not pliant or flexible; hard.
a rigid strip of metal.
- Synonyms:
- inflexible, firm, unbending
- Antonyms:
- elastic
-
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.
-
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.
Related Words
See strict.
Other Word Forms
- overrigid adjective
- overrigidity noun
- overrigidly adverb
- overrigidness noun
- rigidity noun
- rigidly adverb
- rigidness noun
- subrigid adjective
- subrigidity noun
- subrigidly adverb
- subrigidness noun
- unrigid adjective
- unrigidly adverb
- unrigidness noun
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 6
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Cay
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The shoes sport chunky soles with rigid, curved carbon plates and lightweight foam, and Nike asserts they improve running economy by as much as 4%.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026
Modern computers handle increasing workloads by packing billions of identical transistors onto rigid, two-dimensional silicon chips.
From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026
When Reed Hastings co-founded Netflix as a mail-order DVD business in 1997, he wanted to create a work environment that didn’t limit employees with rigid procedures and that pushed everyone to take ownership of decision-making.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026
At times, Arsenal are perceived as more rigid.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
But then she puts her rigid exterior back on, like protection against me.
From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson
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.
