Stilted describes speech or writing that sounds stiff, formal, and unnatural, like someone reading from a script instead of talking like a real person. When dialogue in a story feels stilted, characters might say things like “I am pleased to make your acquaintance” instead of “Nice to meet you.”

You can hear stilted language when someone gives a presentation they've memorized word-for-word, delivering each sentence robotically without any natural pauses or expression. Or imagine asking your friend about their weekend and they respond, “I engaged in recreational activities and found them most satisfactory” instead of “I had fun playing outside.” That's stilted.

The word comes from the idea of stilts, those tall poles people walk on at fairs. Just as stilts make walking look awkward and unnatural, stilted language makes communication feel forced and uncomfortable.

Writing becomes stilted when someone tries too hard to sound smart or formal. A student might write a stilted book report full of phrases like “the protagonist proceeded to walk” instead of simply saying “the character walked.” Good writers and speakers aim for clarity and naturalness, not stilted formality.