What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rigidly
Example
The company enforces its policies rigidly. [rigidly: adverb]
Example
He stood rigidly at attention during the ceremony. [rigidly: adverb]
tightly
Example
She held onto the rope tightly to avoid falling. [tightly: adverb]
Example
The two friends hugged tightly after not seeing each other for years. [tightly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tightly is more commonly used than rigidly in everyday language. Tightly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rigidly is less common and often used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rigidly and tightly?
Both rigidly and tightly can be used in formal and informal contexts, but rigidly may be more associated with formal language due to its connotation of strictness or inflexibility.