stodgy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'stodgy' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone who is dull, boring, or old-fashioned. Example: The company's annual report was filled with stodgy statistics and lacked any innovative ideas for the future.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, though any fried rice ball is a welcome fried rice ball as far as I'm concerned, mine can tend towards the bland and stodgy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Just how much of that was down to the Australian bowling – which was excellent - and how much was down to the stodgy pitch remains to be seen.

The Guardian - Sport

Starch within bread can make you feel a little sleepy after eating it, so by just having a slice of light focaccia, as opposed to two heavier slices of stodgy bread, you should feel satisfied, but not too sluggish.

The Guardian - Books

Amazing Grace's strong performances sometimes lift its plodding pace, but it's a stodgy and old-fashioned historical drama.

The Guardian - Film

But these guys are being paid double what their predecessors were making in the 1980s, which was not exactly a period known for its stodgy egalitarianism.

The Economist

Once again, stodgy defenders of the integrity of Versailles are up in arms.

The Economist

The government's normally stodgy official gazette listed the villains by their nicknames: Monkey, Beardy, Taliban and so on.

The Economist

The Company Law requires managers to hold themselves responsible to the board of directors".Pan Wei, of Beijing University, says that even in stodgy state enterprises, the party is losing its grip.

The Economist

As well as offering to pay more, its valuable shares are a more attractive currency than Bell's stodgy paper.

The Economist

When rivals, in turn, tried to buy GEC in the late 1980s, he parked key businesses in stodgy joint ventures with French, German and American companies to render them impregnable.Good at numbers, he was hopeless as a leader of people, being quick to chide and slow to praise.

The Economist

Think of the bearded Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic, grinning at his incessant photo-calls, or the foul-mouthed Michael O'Leary of Ryanair cocking a snook at stodgy old British Airways.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, use "stodgy" to convey a sense of heaviness or density, implying that it might be filling but not particularly appetizing. "Stodgy" can also describe dull writing or thinking, but be mindful of using it to criticize someone's work directly.

Common error

Avoid using "stodgy" excessively in formal academic or business writing. While it can effectively convey a lack of dynamism, overuse can make your writing seem overly critical or informal. Consider more neutral alternatives like "conventional" or "traditional" in professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stodgy" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe their qualities, often implying a lack of lightness, excitement, or modernity. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples, which demonstrate its use to describe food, performances, and institutions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stodgy" functions as an adjective to negatively describe something as heavy, dull, or old-fashioned. As Ludwig confirms, it is used across various reputable sources, particularly in the News & Media category, suggesting a neutral register. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's advisable to avoid overusing "stodgy" in formal contexts, opting for more neutral alternatives when appropriate. Remember to use "stodgy" to criticize in a constructive manner as it usually has negative connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dull

This alternative focuses on the lack of excitement or interest.

boring

This alternative emphasizes the lack of stimulation or engagement.

old-fashioned

This alternative highlights something being out of date or not modern.

unimaginative

This alternative underscores the lack of creativity or originality.

conventional

This alternative stresses adherence to traditional norms and practices.

staid

This alternative implies a sense of seriousness and lack of dynamism.

ponderous

This alternative highlights a heavy and labored quality.

lackluster

This alternative emphasizes the lack of vibrancy or brilliance.

pedestrian

This alternative suggests a lack of distinction or excitement.

uninspired

This alternative focuses on the lack of motivation or creativity.

FAQs

How can I use "stodgy" in a sentence?

You can use "stodgy" to describe food that is heavy and dense, like "This pudding is too "stodgy" for me." It can also describe something dull or old-fashioned, such as "The presentation was "stodgy" and failed to engage the audience."

What are some synonyms for "stodgy"?

Some synonyms for "stodgy" include "dull", "boring", "old-fashioned", "unimaginative", and "conventional". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "stodgy"?

"Stodgy" is appropriate when you want to convey that something is heavy (especially food), dull, or resistant to change. However, be careful when using it to describe people, as it can come across as critical or dismissive.

What's the difference between "stodgy" and "stuffy"?

"Stodgy" typically refers to something being heavy, dull, or old-fashioned, especially in terms of food or ideas. "Stuffy", on the other hand, often refers to an environment or person being overly formal, rigid, or lacking in fresh air or ideas.