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stick|ler /st I klə ^r / (sticklers ) N‑COUNT If you are a stickler for something, you always demand or require it. □ [+ for ] Lucy was a stickler for perfection, and everything had to be exactly right.

sti ck-on ADJ [ADJ n] Stick-on labels, shapes, and objects have a sticky material on one side so that they will stick to things.

sti ck shift (stick shifts ) N‑COUNT A stick shift is the lever that you use to change gear in a car or other vehicle. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use gear lever

sticky /st I ki/ (stickier , stickiest )

1 ADJ A sticky substance is soft, or thick and liquid, and can stick to other things. Sticky things are covered with a sticky substance. □  …sticky toffee. □  If the dough is sticky, add more flour. □  Peel away the sticky paper.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A sticky situation involves problems or is embarrassing. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □  Inevitably the transition will yield some sticky moments.

3 ADJ Sticky weather is unpleasantly hot and damp. □  …four desperately hot, sticky days in the middle of August.

sti cky ta pe N‑UNCOUNT Sticky tape is clear sticky tape that is sold in rolls and that you use, for example, to stick paper or card together, or to stick things onto a wall. [BRIT ] in AM, use Scotch tape

stiff /st I f/ (stiffer , stiffest )

1 ADJ Something that is stiff is firm or does not bend easily. □  His waterproof trousers were brand new and stiff. □  Clean the mussels with a stiff brush under cold running water. ●  stiff|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □  Moira sat stiffly upright in her straight-backed chair.

2 ADJ Something such as a door or drawer that is stiff does not move as easily as it should. □  Train door handles are stiff so that they cannot be opened accidentally.

3 ADJ If you are stiff , your muscles or joints hurt when you move, because of illness or because of too much exercise. □  Massage will relieve tension and stiff muscles. □  I'm stiff all over right now–I hope I can recover for tomorrow's race. ●  stiff|ly ADV □  He climbed stiffly from the Volkswagen.

4 ADJ Stiff behaviour is rather formal and not very friendly or relaxed. □  They always seemed a little awkward with each other, a bit stiff and formal. ●  stiff|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □  'Why don't you borrow your sister's car?' said Cassandra stiffly. □  …a stiffly worded letter of complaint.

5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Stiff can be used to mean difficult or severe. □  The film faces stiff competition for the Best Film nomination. □  Under the country's stiff anti-corruption laws they could face twenty years in jail.

6 ADJ [ADJ n] A stiff drink is a large amount of a strong alcoholic drink. □  …a stiff whisky.

7 ADV [adj ADV ] If you are bored stiff , worried stiff , or scared stiff , you are extremely bored, worried, or scared. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □  Anna tried to look interested. Actually, she was bored stiff.

stiff|en /st I f ^ə n/ (stiffens , stiffening , stiffened )

1 VERB If you stiffen , you stop moving and stand or sit with muscles that are suddenly tense, for example because you feel afraid or angry. □ [V ] Ada stiffened at the sound of his voice.

2 VERB If your muscles or joints stiffen , or if something stiffens them, they become difficult to bend or move. □ [V ] The blood supply to the skin is reduced when muscles stiffen. [Also V n] ● PHRASAL VERB Stiffen up means the same as stiffen . □ [V P n] These clothes restrict your freedom of movement and stiffen up the whole body. [Also V n P ]