stilted
Americanadjective
-
stiffly dignified or formal, as speech or literary style; pompous.
- Synonyms:
- constrained, stuffy, mannered, wooden
-
Architecture. (of an arch) resting on imposts treated in part as downward continuations of the arch.
adjective
-
(of speech, writing, etc) formal, pompous, or bombastic
-
not flowing continuously or naturally
stilted conversation
-
architect (of an arch) having vertical piers between the impost and the springing
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of stilted
Explanation
The adjective stilted describes something—usually a style of writing or speaking—that is unnaturally formal. Imagine someone walking awkwardly on a pair of stilts and you have a good impression of the word stilted — wooden and stiff. Stilt is found in the mid-15th century, referring to walking on wooden stilts across marshy ground. A hundred years later, the word stilted came to refer to the posts holding up a building. It wasn't until 1820 that the word was used as we use it now, to describe writing or speaking that does not flow smoothly.
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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.
Never-campers might opt for Sediba Sa Rona, which opens the same month with stilted suites overlooking the Khwai River.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025
Discussion of the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics was mostly delivered with stilted hamminess from both, with Martin occasionally shoehorning in jokes that Meier did not pick up on.
From Slate • Sep. 22, 2025
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.
From Salon • Jun. 27, 2025
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.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2025
It is here that the stilted mannequins of my initial acquaintance begin to yawn and stretch and come to life.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
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.
