1 stolid | Definition of stolid
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

stolid

adjective
stol·​id | \ ˈstä-lÉ™d How to pronounce stolid (audio) \

Definition of stolid

: having or expressing little or no sensibility : unemotional
Other Words from stolid Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Sharpen Up With the History of Stolid Example Sentences Learn More about stolid

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from stolid

stolidity \ stä-​ˈli-​dÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce stolidity (audio) , stÉ™-​ \ noun
stolidly \ ˈstä-​lÉ™d-​lÄ“ How to pronounce stolidly (audio) \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for stolid

impassive, stoic, phlegmatic, apathetic, stolid mean unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion. impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression. met the news with an impassive look stoic implies an apparent indifference to pleasure or especially to pain often as a matter of principle or self-discipline. was resolutely stoic even in adversity phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse. a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness. charitable appeals met an apathetic response stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity. stolid workers wedded to routine

Sharpen Up With the History of Stolid

Stolid derives from stolidus, a word that means "dull" or "stupid" in Latin. It is also distantly related to the word stultify, meaning "to cause to appear or be stupid, foolish, or absurdly illogical." The earliest examples of usage for stolid, dating back to the early 17th century, indicate that it too was originally associated with a lack of smarts; it was used to describe people who were considered dull or stupid because they didn't wear their emotions on their sleeves. By the 1800s, however, stolid was frequently appearing without the connotation of foolishness, and it continues to be free of such overtones today.

Examples of stolid in a Sentence

She remained stolid during the trial. the butler responded to the duchess's constant demands with stolid indifference

Recent Examples on the Web

 The inherent tension engulfs: between a ring of stolid black boxes on stands and the deeply humane and emotional voices streaming from them. — BostonGlobe.com, "The Ticket: What’s happening in the local arts world," 30 Aug. 2019 The stolid Naeher allowed herself only a brief clap. — Jeré Longman, New York Times, "For U.S. Goalkeeper, a Moment to Forget and a Lesson She’ll Remember," 25 June 2019 The story is ambiguous, but the image draws our eye from inside to outside, from the delicate wild bird, through doors and windows to the stolid mountains. — Sharon Mizota, latimes.com, "María Berrío's dream-like collages deploy paper like paint," 17 June 2019 Toward the end of Lonesome Dove, the aging Texas Ranger Augustus McCrae scouts ahead of his cattle herd with the stolid hand Pea Eye. — Sarah Smarsh, The New York Review of Books, "Caroline Fraser," 21 Feb. 2019 The Garmisch is, like many of the concepts BMW produced during that era, wildly atypical for the marque, overtly weird and experimental in a way that did not quite jibe with the stolid but delicate flow of vehicles in Munich's contemporary lineup. — Brett Berk, Car and Driver, "BMW Reproduces Lost 1970 Garmisch Concept by Calling In Its Original Designer ,Marcello Gandini," 24 May 2019 Other notes are from longtime ES owners who, while loving their cars, would be interested in something a little less stolid, a little less of a bürgermeisterwagen. — Dan Neil, WSJ, "Lexus ES 300h: Spend on the Luxury, Save on Gas Money," 24 Jan. 2019 The most elegant singer was tenor Alexandr Nesterenko, the fiancé, regrettably killed off in Act I. Bass Andrey Valentii was stolid as Tamara’s father. — Heidi Waleson, WSJ, "‘The Demon’ Review: Obsession and Seduction," 31 July 2018 The supporting players are even better; the veteran Barry infuses his stern but loving character with genuine gravitas, Beach is stolid as the parole officer who treats his ex-cons fairly, and Kay is a hoot as Sam's reluctant accomplice. — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'No Postage Necessary': Film Review," 4 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stolid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of stolid

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for stolid

Latin stolidus dull, stupid

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for stolid

stolid

adjective
How to pronounce stolid (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of stolid

: showing little or no emotion : not easily excited or upset

See the full definition for stolid in the English Language Learners Dictionary

stolid

adjective
stol·​id | \ ˈstä-lÉ™d How to pronounce stolid (audio) \

Kids Definition of stolid

: having or showing little or no feeling a stolid person

Other Words from stolid

stolidly adverb

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on stolid

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with stolid

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stolid

Spanish Central: Translation of stolid

Nglish: Translation of stolid for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of stolid for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!