stolid

adjective

stol·​id ˈstä-ləd 

: having or expressing little or no sensibility : unemotional

stolidity

stä-ˈli-də-tē 

stə-

noun

stolidly

ˈstä-ləd-lē 

adverb

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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.

Synonyms

• blank
• catatonic
• deadpan
• empty
• expressionless
• impassive
• inexpressive
• numb
• vacant

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

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

Its plot is as clever as its imagination is stolid, its subjects are as serious as its approach to them is bland. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024

Though even his private self might not be able to articulate it, this crushing cycle—strutting boy into stuck, stolid man—is what Gar’s running from. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2024

In truth, not even the most stolid skeptic maintains that Trump is a perfectly normal politician, and not even the most histrionic #Resistance foot soldier believes that Trump is literally Orange Hitler. —Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2024

Buck is more reassuringly stolid than live-wire Bucky, but both are models of courage. —Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin stolidus dull, stupid

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

stolid

adjective

stol·​id ˈstäl-əd 

: having or expressing little or no feeling : not easily stirred or excited

a stolid person

stolidly adverb