Hard - English meaning

adjective

Existing in fact; real.

Usage examples:

The estimate was much less than the actual cost

adjective

Containing or relating to alcohol.

Usage examples:

Alcoholic liquor

noun

Suffering from alcoholism.

Usage examples:

His alcoholic daughter was the cause of his anxiety

noun

A person who is unable to give up the habit of drinking too much alcohol

Usage examples:

Alcoholic content

adjective

Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.

Usage examples:

An arduous journey

adjective

Difficult and tiring, or needing a great deal of effort

Usage examples:

In those days, a trip to the west was an arduous journey.

adverb

With great care and perseverance.

Usage examples:

Leaders worked assiduously to hammer out an action plan

adverb

In a way that involves great care and attention to detail

Usage examples:

I assiduously avoid buying imported products., she cultivated her friends assiduously into her old …

adjective

(of a person or part of the body) not clothed or covered.

Usage examples:

He was bare from the waist up

verb

Uncover (a part of the body or other thing) and expose it to view.

Usage examples:

He bared his chest to show his scar

determiner

A large amount or number of.

Usage examples:

My birthday's on the 22nd—i'm gonna get bare cash

adjective

(of a person, action, or idea) showing a willingness to take risks; confident and courageous.

Usage examples:

A bold attempt to solve the crisis

noun

A bold typeface or letter.

Usage examples:

Shadow cabinet members listed in bold

adjective

Brave, or without fear

Usage examples:

He is a qualified politician with bold ideas., she was friendly without being bold., the costumes w…

adverb

In a very active way.

Usage examples:

He was busily engaged in other activities

adverb

In a busy, active way

Usage examples:

I was busily preparing for their arrival.

adjective

Testing one's abilities; demanding.

Usage examples:

Challenging and rewarding employment

verb

Dispute the truth or validity of.

Usage examples:

It is possible to challenge the report's assumptions

prefix

(forming nouns) joint; mutual; common.

Usage examples:

Co-driver

abbreviation

Company.

Usage examples:

The consett iron co

abbreviation

Colorado (in official postal use).

adjective

Of or at a low or relatively low temperature, especially when compared with the human body.

Usage examples:

A freezing cold day

noun

A low temperature; cold weather; a cold environment.

Usage examples:

My teeth chattered with the cold

adverb

Completely; entirely.

Usage examples:

We stopped cold behind a turn in the staircase

adjective

Closely and neatly packed together; dense.

Usage examples:

A compact cluster of houses

verb

Exert force on (something) so that it becomes more dense; compress.

Usage examples:

The rubbish was taken to the depot to be compacted

noun

A small flat case containing face powder, a mirror, and a powder puff.

Usage examples:

Looking once more in her compact's mirror, she got out of the limo and ran up to hug him.

adjective

Firmly packed or pressed together; compressed.

Usage examples:

Compacted earth

verb

Exert force on (something) so that it becomes more dense; compress.

Usage examples:

The rubbish was taken to the depot to be compacted

verb

Make or enter into (a formal agreement) with another party or parties.

Usage examples:

The party compacted an alliance with dissident groups

adjective

(of a person) firmly established in a particular habit, belief, or way of life and unlikely to change their ways.

Usage examples:

A confirmed bachelor

verb

Establish the truth or correctness of (something previously believed or suspected to be the case).

Usage examples:

If these fears are confirmed, the outlook for the economy will be dire

adjective

Firmly fixed in a particular habit or way of life and unlikely to change

Usage examples:

A confirmed bachelor

adverb

In a thorough and responsible way.

Usage examples:

He applied himself conscientiously to his profession

adverb

In a careful way that involves a lot of effort

Usage examples:

They did their job conscientiously., julia collected the notes she had been conscientiously making …

adjective

Clearly stated or decided; not vague or doubtful.

Usage examples:

We had no definite plans

adjective

Fixed, certain, or clear

Usage examples:

We haven’t picked a definite date, but it will probably be in june.

adjective

(of a task) requiring much skill or effort.

Usage examples:

She has a busy and demanding job

verb

Ask authoritatively or brusquely.

Usage examples:

‘where is she?’ he demanded

adjective

Needing a lot of attention, effort, or time

Usage examples:

I’m trying to learn english, and i find it very demanding.

adjective

Closely compacted in substance.

Usage examples:

As the storm cleared, a dense fog came down

adjective

Close together and difficult to go or see through; thick

Usage examples:

Dense fog, i had trouble getting through the dense crowd., there are some really dense people in ou…

adjective

Needing much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with, or understand.

Usage examples:

She had a difficult decision to make

adjective

Not easy or simple; hard to do or to understand

Usage examples:

It’s a difficult choice, but i’ve got to decide which job is better., he’s in a difficult situation…

adverb

In a way that shows care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties.

Usage examples:

He spends his nights diligently working on his dissertation

adverb

In a way that is careful and uses a lot of effort

Usage examples:

He worked diligently to prepare himself for this three-week tournament., she diligently completed e…

adverb

In a manner that shows tenacity and grim persistence.

Usage examples:

She has doggedly pursued her own path

adverb

In a very determined way, even if something is very difficult

Usage examples:

I kept at it, doggedly and patiently, until finally i could skate., john is one of the most doggedl…

adverb

With sincere and intense conviction; seriously.

Usage examples:

They earnestly hope to come back in the summer

adverb

In a serious and determined way, often without humour

Usage examples:

He hopes school officials will continue to work earnestly to ensure the rights of their minority st…

adverb

In a manner showing or involving great activity or vitality.

Usage examples:

The royal pair were dancing energetically

adverb

With a lot of energy

Usage examples:

Many community groups have energetically opposed the idea., for some people the morning is a time o…

adverb

In a way that shows intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.

Usage examples:

The report was enthusiastically welcomed by all groups

adverb

In a way that shows enthusiasm

Usage examples:

The crowd were waving flags and enthusiastically singing patriotic songs., when i suggested a walk,…

adjective

Making great demands on one's skill, attention, or other resources.

Usage examples:

The exacting standards laid down by the organic food industry

verb

Demand and obtain (something) from someone.

Usage examples:

He exacted promises that another watergate would never be allowed to happen

adjective

Demanding a lot of effort, care, or attention

Usage examples:

All our aircraft meet exacting safety standards.

adjective

Making one feel very tired; very tiring.

Usage examples:

A long and exhausting journey

verb

Make (someone) feel very tired.

Usage examples:

Her day out had exhausted her

adjective

Making you feel extremely tired

Usage examples:

The pace of twelve-hour days, seven days a week proved exhausting.

verb

Cause (someone) to feel exhausted.

Usage examples:

They were fatigued by their journey

noun

Extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness.

Usage examples:

He was nearly dead with fatigue

noun

Weakness in metal or other materials caused by repeated variations of stress.

Usage examples:

Metal fatigue

adjective

Having a solid, almost unyielding surface or structure.

Usage examples:

The bed should be reasonably firm, but not too hard

verb

Make more solid or resilient.

Usage examples:

How can i firm up a sagging bustline?

adverb

In a resolute and determined manner.

Usage examples:

The chancellor has held firm to tough economic policies

adjective

Of, containing, or reminiscent of flint.

Usage examples:

Flinty soil

adjective

Made of or like flint

Usage examples:

A flinty material, he looked at me with flinty eyes.

adjective

Strong and assertive; vigorous and powerful.

Usage examples:

She was a forceful personality

adjective

Expressing opinions strongly and demanding attention or action

Usage examples:

He developed a forceful, emotional preaching style., he argues his case forcefully.

adjective

Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable.

Usage examples:

A formidable opponent

adjective

Strong and powerful, and therefore difficult to deal with if opposed to you

Usage examples:

There were formidable obstacles to reaching an early settlement of the dispute.

adjective

Extremely tiring and demanding.

Usage examples:

A gruelling schedule

adjective

Having become or been made hard or harder.

Usage examples:

Hardened steel

verb

Make or become hard or harder.

Usage examples:

Wait for the glue to harden

adjective

Having developed a way of dealing with bad experiences so that they no longer upset you

Usage examples:

The judge called him a hardened criminal (= one who will not stop his criminal activity).

adjective

Unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses.

Usage examples:

Drenched in a harsh white neon light

adjective

Unkind or cruel or uncivil

adjective

Unkind or cruel

Usage examples:

Harsh criticism, a harsh winter, harsh lighting

adjective

Of great weight; difficult to lift or move.

Usage examples:

A heavy and bulky load

noun

A thing, such as a vehicle, that is large or heavy of its kind.

Usage examples:

Meanwhile, he is leading the charge at airport to beef up the runway and expand support facilities …

adverb

Heavily.

Usage examples:

Heavy-laden

adjective

Large and heavy.

Usage examples:

A hefty young chap

adjective

Large in amount or size

Usage examples:

A hefty fine/bonus, a hefty steak dinner, a hefty, pink-faced baby

adjective

Extremely large

Usage examples:

A hefty 15.9%/30%/54%, etc. one of the market's star performers announced a hefty $10bn share buyba…

adjective

Impossible to pass through or enter.

Usage examples:

A dark, impenetrable forest

adjective

Impossible to enter or go through

Usage examples:

An impenetrable jungle, too many scholarly books are written in an impenetrable jargon.

adverb

In an always determined and energetic way, never willing to admit defeat

Usage examples:

He is indefatigably devoted to protecting human rights., the band was indefatigably brisk and upbeat.

adjective

Unable to be challenged or denied.

Usage examples:

A far from indisputable fact

adjective

Obviously true

Usage examples:

An indisputable fact, he is indisputably one of the finest baseball players ever.

adverb

With a lot of hard work or effort

Usage examples:

Marco was working industriously at his desk., she spat on the brass doorknob and polished it indust…

verb

Make (someone) drunk; intoxicate.

Usage examples:

It is a rum-based drink designed more to inebriate the masses than to please the palate

noun

A drunkard.

Usage examples:

He was marked down as an inebriate

adjective

Drunk; intoxicated.

Usage examples:

He had been known to get hopelessly inebriate

adjective

Unwilling to change or compromise.

Usage examples:

Once she had made up her mind, she was inflexible

adverb

With extreme force or strength.

Usage examples:

The fire was burning intensely

noun

An intoxicating substance.

Usage examples:

Intoxicants and drugs are used by some to escape physical or psychological pain

noun

A substance such as alcohol that produces feelings of pleasure or happiness in a person

adjective

(of alcoholic drink or a drug) liable to cause someone to lose control of their faculties or behaviour.

Usage examples:

They must also abstain from intoxicating drinks or drugs, and live a life of celibacy.

verb

(of alcoholic drink or a drug) cause (someone) to lose control of their faculties or behaviour.

Usage examples:

We don't allow people into sessions if they are intoxicated by alcohol or drugs

adjective

Making you feel happy, as if you are in a pleasant dream

Usage examples:

After being cooped up in the overheated room all day, we took a stroll and found the fresh air into…

adjective

Requiring considerable time and effort.

Usage examples:

Years of laborious training

adjective

Possessing great and impressive power or strength, especially because of size.

Usage examples:

Three mighty industrial countries

adverb

Extremely.

Usage examples:

My ears got cold mighty fast

adjective

Very large, powerful, or important

Usage examples:

In the next game they will face the mighty patriots., the mighty river po, they offered to raise sa…

adjective

(of a task or responsibility) involving a great deal of effort, trouble, or difficulty.

Usage examples:

He found his duties increasingly onerous

adjective

Causing great difficulty or trouble

Usage examples:

The tax bill was aimed at lifting the onerous tax burden from the backs of the middle class.

adverb

In a persistent manner; continuously.

Usage examples:

The rules are persistently flouted

adjective

Not decorated or elaborate; simple or basic in character.

Usage examples:

Good plain food

adverb

Used for emphasis.

Usage examples:

Perhaps the youth was just plain stupid

noun

A large area of flat land with few trees.

Usage examples:

The coastal plain

adjective

Having great power, influence, or effect.

Usage examples:

Thrones were potent symbols of authority

noun

Fur resembling vair, but with the alternating pieces t-shaped.

Usage examples:

Potent is believed to have been originally derived from vair.

adjective

Powerful, persuasive, or effective

Usage examples:

This is the most potent headache remedy you can get without a prescription., her voice has been a p…

adjective

Having great power or strength.

Usage examples:

A fast, powerful car

adverb

Very.

Usage examples:

Walking is powerful hot work

adjective

Strong

Usage examples:

The picture quality is bad because the tv signal isn’t powerful enough., a powerful drug, he’s in a…

adjective

Physically and mentally demanding; arduous.

Usage examples:

The band's punishing tour schedule

verb

Inflict a penalty or sanction on (someone) as retribution for an offence, especially a transgression of a legal or moral code.

Usage examples:

I have done wrong and i'm being punished for it

adjective

Extremely difficult or tiring

Usage examples:

A punishing schedule

adjective

Consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted.

Usage examples:

A reliable source of information

noun

A reliable person or thing.

Usage examples:

The supporting cast includes old reliables like mitchell

adjective

Able to be depended on; consistent or steady

adjective

Offering resistance to something or someone.

Usage examples:

Some of the old churches are resistant to change

adjective

Not easily changed or damaged, or not accepting of (something)

Usage examples:

Fire resistant, why are you so resistant to change?

adjective

Unable to bend or be forced out of shape; not flexible.

Usage examples:

A seat of rigid orange plastic

noun

A lorry which is not articulated.

noun

A sudden feeling of cold with shivering accompanied by a rise in temperature, often with copious sweating, especially at the onset or height of a fever.

noun

Us spelling of rigour.

noun

The quality of being extremely thorough and careful.

Usage examples:

His analysis is lacking in rigour

adjective

(of an object) having an edge or point that is able to cut or pierce something.

Usage examples:

Cut the cake with a very sharp knife

adverb

Precisely (used after an expression of time).

Usage examples:

The meeting starts at 7.30 sharp

noun

A musical note raised a semitone above natural pitch.

Usage examples:

Choices in successive levels expand to all notes, then sharps and flats.

adjective

(of a person) clean, tidy, and well dressed.

Usage examples:

You look very smart

verb

(of a wound or part of the body) feel or cause a sharp stinging pain.

Usage examples:

Her legs were scratched and smarting

noun

Sharp stinging pain.

Usage examples:

The smart of the recent cuts

adjective

Firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid.

Usage examples:

The stream was frozen solid

noun

A substance or object that is solid rather than liquid or fluid.

Usage examples:

I was reminded of high school physics where we learned that solids conduct sound better than both l…

adjective

Having a fixed shape that cannot be changed easily

Usage examples:

After flying all night, he was glad to be on solid ground., solid rock, a solid oak table, solid go…

verb

Make or become hard or solid.

Usage examples:

The magma slowly solidifies and forms crystals

verb

Past simple and past participle of solidify

Usage examples:

Molten volcanic lava solidifies as it cools., the chemical reaction solidifies the resin., he solid…

adjective

Containing much alcohol; distilled.

Usage examples:

Spirituous beverages

adverb

In a regular and even manner.

Usage examples:

The business has been growing steadily

adverb

In a gradual, regular way over a period of time

Usage examples:

Prices have risen steadily.

adverb

In a gradual way, remaining at a similar rate

Usage examples:

Rise/fall/grow steadily prices have been rising steadily during the summer., steadily declining/inc…

adjective

Resembling steel in colour, brightness, or strength.

Usage examples:

A steely blue

adjective

(of a person’s behavior or character) hard and strong as steel

Usage examples:

Only their steely determination to survive kept them going.

adjective

Not easily bent or changed in shape; rigid.

Usage examples:

A stiff black collar

noun

A dead body.

Usage examples:

When the bodies of various stiffs start disappearing from the local morgue, the police are baffled …

verb

Cheat (someone) out of something, especially money.

Usage examples:

Several workers were stiffed out of their pay

adjective

Covered with or full of small pieces of rock.

Usage examples:

Rough stony paths

adjective

Containing a lot of stones

Usage examples:

The ground was too stony to be used as a farm., though we begged him, he gave us a stony look and t…

adjective

Requiring or using great effort or exertion.

Usage examples:

The government made strenuous efforts to upgrade the quality of the teaching profession

adjective

Needing or using a lot of effort or energy

Usage examples:

I think football is much more strenuous than baseball., he strenuously denies that he is guilty.

adjective

Having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.

Usage examples:

She cut through the water with her strong arms

adjective

Physically powerful or energetic

Usage examples:

You must be strong to be able to lift all that weight., i feel a little stronger every day., strong…

adjective

An activity or industry that is strong is growing and becoming more successful

Usage examples:

Economic news has been better than expected, with retail sales remaining strong., worldwide sales b…

adjective

Physically or mentally demanding.

Usage examples:

They find the work too taxing

verb

Impose a tax on (someone or something).

Usage examples:

The income will be taxed at the top rate

adjective

Needing too much effort

Usage examples:

After the surgery, i couldn’t do anything too taxing for a while.

adjective

Revealing a person's capabilities by putting them under strain; challenging.

Usage examples:

It's been quite a testing time for all of us

verb

Take measures to check the quality, performance, or reliability of (something), especially before putting it into widespread use or practice.

Usage examples:

This range has not been tested on animals

noun

The action or process of testing or checking someone or something.

Usage examples:

Diagnostic testing in symptomatic patients

adjective

Causing one to need rest or sleep; fatiguing.

Usage examples:

It had been a tiring day

verb

Feel or cause to feel in need of rest or sleep.

Usage examples:

Soon the ascent grew steeper and he began to tire

adjective

Causing you to feel you have no energy

Usage examples:

Dad had a tiring day at work.

adjective

(of a substance or object) strong enough to withstand adverse conditions or rough handling.

Usage examples:

Tough rucksacks for climbers

noun

A rough and violent man.

Usage examples:

A gang of toughs

verb

Endure a period of hardship or difficulty.

adjective

Very great in amount, scale, or intensity.

Usage examples:

Penny put in a tremendous amount of time

adjective

Great in amount, size, or degree; extremely large

Usage examples:

She is under tremendous pressure at work., a tremendous book/concert/athlete

adjective

In accordance with fact or reality.

Usage examples:

A true story

adverb

Truly.

Usage examples:

Hobson spoke truer than he knew

verb

Bring (an object, wheel, or other construction) into the exact shape or position required.

Usage examples:

The bench sander is ideal for truing up faces of timber

adjective

Not liable to break or able to be broken easily.

Usage examples:

The flask is guaranteed unbreakable

adjective

Unable to be denied or disputed.

Usage examples:

It is an undeniable fact that some dogs are easier to train than others

adjective

So obviously true that it cannot be doubted

Usage examples:

It is an undeniable fact that ice is cold., she is undeniably brilliant.

adjective

Not embellished or decorated.

Usage examples:

The unembellished truth

adjective

Not easily influenced or persuaded; obstinate, stubborn; unconforming.

adjective

Not easily bent or changed in shape; stiff, rigid, inflexible.

adjective

Not (readily) adaptable to different purposes, changing circumstances, etc.; not showing adaptability or versatility.

adjective

Not able to be disputed or doubted.

Usage examples:

His musicianship is unquestionable

adverb

If someone does something untiringly, their energy, interest, or enthusiasm seems never to become weaker

Usage examples:

She has worked untiringly for the organization for over thirty years., she is untiringly enthusiast…

adjective

Not covered with varnish.

Usage examples:

Unvarnished woodwork

adjective

An unvarnished statement is expressed in a plain and honest way

Usage examples:

You don't expect a politician to tell you the unvarnished truth.

adjective

(of a mass or structure) not giving way to pressure; hard or solid.

Usage examples:

The atlantic hurled its waves at the unyielding rocks

adjective

Not giving up control or responsibility for (something) as a result of influence or persuasion

Usage examples:

The economist showed an unyielding commitment to tough financial stability.

adjective

Able to be checked or demonstrated to be true, accurate, or justified.

Usage examples:

An easily verifiable claim

adjective

Strong, healthy, and full of energy.

Usage examples:

A tall, vigorous, and muscular man

adjective

Very forceful or energetic

Usage examples:

A vigorous debate, there has been vigorous opposition to the proposals for a new road., he takes pl…

adjective

Resembling, associated with, or fond of wine.

Usage examples:

A vinous smell

adjective

Using or involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.

Usage examples:

A violent confrontation with riot police

adjective

Using or involving force to hurt or attack

Usage examples:

Violent crime, the police are concerned about the possibility of violent behavior at the demonstrat…

adjective

Causing tiredness; tiring.

Usage examples:

A long, wearying journey

verb

Cause to become tired.

Usage examples:

She was wearied by her persistent cough

adjective

Making you feel tired

Usage examples:

A long wearying journey

preposition

Accompanied by (another person or thing).

Usage examples:

A nice steak with a bottle of red wine