rigid

Everyday

1. Rigid means stiff and hard, not able to bend easily. tree →
2. Rigid rules or plans are strict and cannot be changed. tree →
3. A rigid person will not change their ideas or habits. tree →

In the lessons

Science (materials): rigid materials such as wood, metal and hard plastic keep their shape; flexible ones such as rubber and fabric bend. Design: a rigid frame makes a strong bridge. Stories: «rigid with fear» means too scared to move. Phrases: rigid rules, rigid with fear, rigid structure.

Examples

• A metal ruler is rigid, but a rubber band is flexible. tree →
• The cardboard box was rigid and strong. tree →
• The school has rigid rules about phones. tree →
• She froze, rigid with fear. tree →
• Triangles make rigid shapes in bridges. tree →
• Plastic can be rigid or flexible. tree →
• Fionn sat rigid and unmoving, his face stony and terrible as the face of a monument carved on the side of a cliff. tree →

Note

Opposite: flexible. In science, sort materials into rigid and flexible. Pronounced RIJ-id. Rigid is not the same as «strong»: glass is rigid but breaks easily.