What does stolid mean?
Stolid describes a person, expression, or manner that reveals little or no emotion. The word is especially associated with an impassive face, a restrained or unyielding attitude, and the refusal to react visibly to circumstances that might ordinarily provoke excitement, fear, anger, or distress. For example, a stolid witness may answer questions calmly while maintaining an unchanged expression. Stolid is usually formal and can be neutral or mildly critical: it may describe admirable composure, but it can also imply that someone is emotionally detached or unresponsive. The word should not be confused with solid, which concerns firmness, stability, or completeness. Stolid is useful in literary and analytical writing because it conveys both emotional restraint and a sense of immovability, although context determines whether that restraint appears admirable, secretive, stubborn, or simply blank.
adjectiveShowing little or no emotion; impassive and unemotional. It can also suggest an impassive, unyielding manner.
- Showing little or no emotion; impassive or unemotional.
- Archaic: stupid, insensate, or lacking understanding.
"He faced the criticism with a stolid expression and said nothing."
"The witness remained stolid throughout the difficult questioning."
"The officer listened with stolid patience as the protesters continued."
Stolid began in Latin as an insult: stolidus meant “stupid” or “senseless.” In English, its emotional temperature fell to near zero.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of stolid
Stolid entered English in the early 17th century from Latin stolidus, an adjective meaning “stupid,” “senseless,” or “insensible.” Its early English meanings retained this negative sense, but the word gradually shifted toward the idea of being unaffected by feeling or pain and then toward describing an unemotional manner. The same root produced English derivatives such as stolidity, stolidness, and stolidly.
Related word forms
How stolid is actually used
Stolid is formal and often literary. It is commonly used for a person's expression, demeanour, manner, or reaction and may suggest emotional restraint, endurance, or an unimpressible lack of reaction.
Easily confused with stolid
Stolid describes someone or something emotionally impassive, whereas solid describes something firm, stable, or complete in form.