Stilted Meaning in English
word
ˈstɪɫtɪd
STIL-tid
stˈɪltɪd
stil-TID
Definition
Describes speech or writing that sounds unnatural, too formal, or forced, often making communication awkward or uncomfortable.
Usage & Nuances
Used mainly for speech, dialogue, or writing; not for physical things. Often suggests excessive formality or awkwardness. Typical collocations: 'stilted conversation', 'stilted dialogue', 'stilted speech'. Common in literary, academic, or film/media reviews.
Spanish: forzado - artificialPortuguese (BR): artificial - afetadoPortuguese (PT): artificial - afetadoChinese (Simplified): 生硬的 - 不自然的Chinese (Traditional): 生硬的 - 不自然的Hindi: बनावटी - अस्वाभाविकArabic: متكلف - غير طبيعيBengali: অপ্রাকৃত - কৃত্রিম - জোরপূর্বকRussian: неестественный - натянутый - вычурныйJapanese: 不自然な - ぎこちないVietnamese: gượng gạo - không tự nhiênKorean: 부자연스러운 - 어색한Turkish: yapmacık - zoraki - yapayUrdu: مصنوعی - بناوٹی - غیر فطریIndonesian: kaku - canggung - tidak alami
Example Sentences
The interview felt so stilted that it was hard to relax.
natural
His answer sounded very stilted.
basic
The movie had stilted dialogue that felt unnatural.
basic
Their conversation became stilted after the argument.
basic
I tried to break the stilted silence in the room with a joke.
natural
His speech was so stilted it sounded like he was reading from a script.
natural