Definition

The quality of being dull, heavy, or overly serious, often making something less enjoyable or exciting.

Example

The stodginess of the meeting made it hard for anyone to stay awake.

Conversation

I tried that new restaurant last night, but the food felt so heavy and full of stodginess.

Really? I thought they were known for their light dishes.

I know, right? I expected something fresher, not all that stodginess.

Maybe I’ll skip it then and try a different place instead.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Stodginess is derived from the adjective 'stodgy' (originating from the late 19th century, possibly from the dialectal 'stodge', meaning to stuff or fill), combined with the suffix '-ness' (meaning the state or quality of). The term 'stodginess' refers to the quality of being heavy, dull, or uninteresting, often in a way that is overly rich or filling.

Memory Tip

Think of 'stodgy' as something that is 'stuffed' or heavy, and remember that 'stodginess' describes the quality of being overly rich or dull.

Visually Confused Words