starched

The waiter wore a starched white shirt.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Treated with starch: "starched" describes fabric that has been stiffened using starch, a substance applied during laundering to make cloth crisp and rigid.
   • Formal or stiff in manner: In a figurative sense, "starched" can describe a person or their behavior as rigid, overly formal, or lacking in warmth or flexibility.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • He wore a starched white collar to the formal dinner. (The collar was stiffened with starch for a crisp appearance.)
  • Her starched demeanor made her seem unapproachable. (Her behavior was rigid and formal, lacking ease.)

Advanced Usage

• "Starched and pressed": a common phrase for clothing that has been laundered with starch and ironed to a crisp finish.

  • The waiter's uniform was starched and pressed, looking immaculate. (The uniform was stiff and neatly ironed.)

• "Starched formality": a description of an event or atmosphere that is excessively formal and rigid.

  • The reception had a starched formality that made guests feel uncomfortable. (The event was overly stiff and lacking in casual warmth.)

Variants and Related Words

• Starch (noun): the substance used to stiffen fabric, derived from plants like corn or potatoes.

  • She added starch to the laundry to make the shirts crisp. (The substance used for stiffening.)

• Starchy (adjective): containing starch; also figuratively meaning stiff or formal.

  • The starchy fabric held its shape well. (Containing starch.)
  • His starchy personality made conversation difficult. (Rigid and formal.)

Synonyms

• Crisp: firm and fresh, especially of fabric after ironing.
• Stiff: not easily bent; rigid.
• Formal: following accepted rules or conventions; not casual.

Related Idioms

• Starched collar: a symbol of formality or uptightness, often used metaphorically.

  • He's always so proper — a real starched-collar type. (He is excessively formal and rigid in behavior.)

• Starched and proper: describing someone who is extremely correct in manners and dress.

  • The headmistress was starched and proper, never allowing any deviation from rules. (She was rigidly formal and correct.)