Question 1 · Quick check
stiffen
/ˈstɪfən/
verb
Türkçe translations
Translating…
In plain English
- 01
verb
To become or make stiff.
- 02
verb
Extra detailTo become stiff.
Examples
She felt him stiffen in surprise when he heard the news.
Mennad's body started to stiffen.
At a glance
Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale
- Senses
- 3
- Parts of speech
- 1
- Citations
- 5
- Synonyms
- 1
Deep Dive
verb
Extra meaningTo make stiff.
More examples
In contextCriminal prosecutions of abusers are generally the responsibility of local authorities, but the act stiffened sentences for stalking under federal law.
As Willis spoke and tried to smile the voices inside him rang together like a bell, stiffening him and hollowing him and emptying him of his troubled song.
Bewildered by the unexpected greeting, my son stiffened, but managed a polite answer.
Related
Quick test
Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.
Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.
Nearby
Origin
verb
From Middle English stifnen, equivalent to stiff + -en.