stolidness

Stolidness is the quality or state of being stolid: having little or no apparent emotion or volatility; a steady, unshaken demeanor that does not easily express feelings. It can refer to people who remain calm under pressure, as well as to situations or landscapes that appear unmoved by events. The term often carries a negative connotation, implying dullness, insensitivity, or an unwillingness to engage emotionally, but it can also describe reliability and steadiness when emotional display is unnecessary.

Stolid derives from the Latin stolidus, meaning dull or stupid; the word entered English in the early modern period. Related forms include stolidness and the adverb stolidly. Synonyms include impassivity, stolidity, dullness, and, in a more positive sense, steadiness or composure; antonyms include expressiveness, affect, volatility, and warmth.

In literary usage, a stolid character is one who shows little outward emotion, which can be used for contrast with more expressive characters or to underscore restraint. In psychology or everyday speech, a stolid demeanor may reflect temperament, cultural norms, or deliberate self-control rather than a lack of feeling.