What does stiffen mean?
“Stiffen” means to become stiff or to make something stiff. The word is most often used for physical materials, as when cold causes leather, fabric, or a person's joints to become rigid. It also has a figurative use meaning that a policy, opposition, or atmosphere becomes harsher, more formal, or less willing to compromise. In this sense, “stiffen” is especially common in political and journalistic English: a government may stiffen its policy, or public opposition may stiffen in response to a decision. The word suggests firmness and resistance rather than mere temporary firmness, and its figurative uses often carry a slightly formal tone.
verbTo become stiff, or to cause something to become stiff. It can also mean to become more severe, formal, or resistant, as in “the government stiffened its stance.”
- To become physically stiff or rigid.
- To make something stiff or rigid.
- To become more severe, formal, or uncompromising.
- To make a policy, attitude, or opposition more severe or uncompromising.
"The old leather began to stiffen in the cold."
"His legs stiffened after the long journey."
"The new law would further stiffen the country's immigration policy."
The word “stiffen” can describe anything from cold leather to a political mood: when a situation stiffens, it becomes tense and difficult to bend.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stiffen come from?
“Stiffen” was formed in English by adding the suffix “-en” to “stiff,” a word inherited from Old English. The older adjective “stiff” is related to forms meaning “firm,” “rigid,” or “difficult to bend.” Modern usage developed both the literal sense of becoming or making physically rigid and the figurative sense of becoming more severe or uncompromising.
Related word forms
How stiffen is actually used
In figurative uses, “stiffen” often suggests that a situation, policy, or attitude has become less flexible and more severe. It is common in formal and journalistic writing, especially in politics and law.