rigid

[rij-id]

adjective

1. stiff or unyielding; not pliant or flexible; hard.

   a rigid strip of metal.

   Synonyms: inflexible, firm, unbending
   Antonyms: elastic

2. firmly fixed or set.

   Synonyms: static, immovable

3. inflexible, strict, or severe.

   a rigid disciplinarian; rigid rules of social behavior.

   Synonyms: unyielding, stern, austere
   Antonyms: lax

4. exacting; thorough; rigorous.

   a rigid examination.

   Synonyms: demanding

5. so as to meet precise standards; stringent.

   lenses ground to rigid specifications.

   Synonyms: demanding

6. 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.

7. Aeronautics.

   1. (of an airship or dirigible) having a form maintained by a stiff, unyielding structure contained within the envelope.

   2. pertaining to a helicopter rotor that is held fixedly at its root.

rigid

/ ˈrɪdʒɪd /

adjective

1. not bending; physically inflexible or stiff

   a rigid piece of plastic

2. unbending; rigorously strict; severe

   rigid rules

adverb

1. completely or excessively

   the lecture bored him rigid

Other Word Forms

• rigidly adverb
• rigidity noun
• rigidness noun
• overrigid adjective
• overrigidly adverb
• overrigidness noun
• overrigidity noun
• subrigid adjective
• subrigidly adverb
• subrigidness noun
• subrigidity noun
• unrigid adjective
• unrigidly adverb
• unrigidness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigid¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin rigidus, equivalent to rig(ēre) “to be stiff, stiffen” + -idus -id ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigid¹

C16: from Latin rigidus , from rigēre to be stiff

Synonym Study

See strict.

Example Sentences

Born in a pre-war era of rigid traditions and styles, his creations followed - and helped make possible - increasing social fluidity in the latter half of the 20th Century.

From BBC

Hitler and Stalin enforced rigid ideological conformity and unleashed ruthless violence against dissenters.

From Salon

It may also help people manage blood sugar without rigid calorie counting, fits easily with cultural or religious fasting practices, and is simple to follow.

From BBC

By playing in a rigid positional manner, players don't roam, so don't drag the opposition into unfamiliar areas.

From BBC

But he has also been criticized as rigid and uncompromising, seeming to fixate only on details that point to an officer’s guilt.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adamant 
• austere 
• definite 
• exact 
• fixed 
• hard-line 
• harsh 
• inflexible 
• intransigent 
• rigorous 
• solid 
• stern 
• stringent 
• uncompromising 
• unyielding 

When To Use

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.