rigid

rigid — adjective

1. describes an object that is stiff and hard, so that it does not bend or change s

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes an object that is stiff and hard, so that it does not bend or change shape when you push or press it.

Example

After years in the sun, the garden hose became rigid and cracked.

become/grow + rigid; change from flexible to firm

A rigid metal frame supports each shelf and does not bend under the weight.

rigid + material noun (metal frame)

Common collocations
  • rigid plastic
  • rigid metal frame
  • rigid cardboard
  • rigid structure
  • rigid container
  • rigid cast
  • become rigid
  • grow rigid
Synonyms
  • stiff

    less technical than rigid; can describe body parts (stiff neck) instead of materials

  • inflexible

    emphasises inability to bend; also used figuratively

  • hard

    describes surface firmness rather than resistance to bending

  • firm

    weaker than rigid; something firm has some give and is not completely stiff

Antonyms
  • flexible

    bends easily without breaking

  • bendable

    can be shaped by hand without damage

Grammar Patterns

be + rigid

become/grow + rigid

rigid + noun (material)

Usage Note

Commonly used before nouns for manufactured materials (rigid plastic, rigid metal frame) to describe their firmness. Also frequently appears with 'become' or 'grow' to show a change from flexible to firm, as when soft plastic hardens or paperboard dries out.

Common Mistakes

The table is made of rigid wood.
The table is made of hard wood.
'Rigid' is not the usual word for naturally hard materials like wood or stone; use it when a material is expected to stay in a fixed shape and should not bend.
I held the rigid book in my hands.
I held the hardcover book in my hands.
'Rigid' focuses on resistance to bending, not on the cover being hard. If the book cover cannot be bent at all, 'rigid' works; otherwise use 'hard' or 'stiff'.

2. used to describe rules, methods, or people that are very strict and cannot be ch

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

used to describe rules, methods, or people that are very strict and cannot be changed or influenced by new situations.

Example

The school has rigid rules about what students may wear to class.

collocation: rigid rules / rigid policy

Jabari found his father's views on career choices too rigid to discuss.

pattern: too rigid + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • rigid rules
  • rigid policy
  • rigid schedule
  • rigid system
  • rigid views
  • rigid control
  • rigid structure
  • too rigid
  • rigid about
  • rigid in
Synonyms
  • strict

    neutral tone; describes firm enforcement of rules without the negative judgement of rigid

  • inflexible

    similar meaning, emphasises unwillingness to adapt rather than harshness

  • uncompromising

    often positive in contexts like quality standards; a person who refuses to lower their principles

  • unyielding

    more formal; describes someone who refuses to change position under pressure

Antonyms
  • flexible

    willing to change or adapt to new circumstances

  • adaptable

    able to adjust smoothly to different conditions

  • lenient

    not strict; allowing more freedom than expected

Grammar Patterns

be + rigid

too rigid + to-infinitive

rigid + noun (rules/policy/views)

rigid about/in + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often combined with 'too' (too rigid) to express criticism of inflexibility. The subject can be an institution, a rule, a method, or a person. Common patterns are 'rigid about + noun phrase' (rigid about deadlines) and 'rigid in + noun phrase' (rigid in their beliefs). This sense carries a mildly negative tone; for neutral descriptions of firm rules, use 'strict' instead.

Common Mistakes

My teacher is rigid.' (when you just mean she requires homework)
My teacher is strict.
'Rigid' implies extreme, unreasonable strictness with no room for exceptions. Use 'strict' for normal firm rule-enforcement.
We have a rigid plan for the weekend.
We have a fixed plan for the weekend.
'Rigid' sounds unnecessarily negative for everyday situations. Use 'fixed' or 'set' for neutral schedules.

Word family

  • rigidly
    adverbB2
  • rigidity
    nounB2
  • rigidness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

Rigid, strict, inflexible, uncompromising, and unyielding all describe people or systems that resist change. Rigid is the strongest and most negative — it suggests something so fixed that it breaks rather than bends, like a rigid schedule that fails in an emergency. Strict focuses on rules that are clearly defined and firmly enforced (a strict teacher who checks homework every day) and does not carry a negative tone by itself. Inflexible describes an unwillingness to adapt (an inflexible approach to new technology), often implying stubbornness. Uncompromising describes a principled refusal to accept less than a standard (uncompromising quality control), which can be admirable. Unyielding is slightly more formal and suggests resistance under pressure (unyielding opposition to the proposal). Choose rigid when the situation calls for criticism of unthinking inflexibility; use strict for neutral descriptions of rules; inflexible for stubborn attitudes; uncompromising for firm principles; and unyielding for formal contexts.

strict ↗inflexible ↗uncompromisingunyielding

Common collocations

Nouns

  • rigid structure
  • rigid system
  • rigid framework
  • rigid body

Adverbs

  • extremely rigid
  • very rigid
  • too rigid
  • quite rigid
  • less rigid
  • increasingly rigid

Phrases

  • rigid set of rules
  • rigid way of thinking
  • rigid code of conduct

Prepositions

  • rigid in
  • rigid about

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Rigid came into English in the 1500s from French 'rigide', which itself came from Latin 'rigidus' meaning 'stiff or hard'. The Latin root 'rigere' meant 'to be stiff' — the same root gives us 'rigor' and 'rigour'. The physical sense ('stiff, not bending') appeared first in English, followed later by the figurative sense describing strict rules or stubborn people who, like a stiff object, will not bend or change.