What is the Latin word for stiff?

The usual Latin words for “stiff” are rigidus, rigeō, dūrus; also signum, torpidus, torpeō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“stiff” in Latin

rigidusstiff, rigid, hard, inflexible; stern, strict, severe, hard, inflexible rigeōto be stiff or numb; stiffen; to stand upright; stand on end; to remain unmoved or inert dūrushard; rough; harsh; hardy; vigorous signumvisible indication: sign, mark, signal; seal, signet; emblem, ensign torpidusbenumbed, stupefied, torpid torpeōto be stiff, numb, torpid or motionless; to be stupefied or astounded; to be inactive or listless rigōto irrigate, to lead, convey or conduct (a liquid to a place); to wet, moisten, water or bedew something with a liquid;

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

stiff

Rigid, rigidus (also of statues, signa, Cic.): rigens: Stiff with cold, frigore rigens, torpidus, torpens: to be stiff, rigere, torpere.

Formal, starched, durus (opposed to mollis): moribus incompositus. To have a stiff gait, durius incedere; in incessu duriorem esse.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for stiff?: The usual Latin words for “stiff” are rigidus, rigeō, dūrus; also signum, torpidus, torpeō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.