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strenuous

 - 3 dictionary results

stren⋅u⋅ous

  [stren-yoo-uhs]
Use strenuous in a Sentence
–adjective
1. characterized by vigorous exertion, as action, efforts, life, etc.: a strenuous afternoon of hunting.
2. demanding or requiring vigorous exertion; laborious: To think deeply is a strenuous task.
3. vigorous, energetic, or zealously active: a strenuous person; a strenuous intellect.
Origin:
1590–1600; < L strēnuus; see -ous

Related forms:
stren⋅u⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
stren⋅u⋅ous⋅ness, stren⋅u⋅os⋅i⋅ty  [stren-yoo-os-i-tee] , noun

Synonyms:
3. forceful. See active.

Antonyms:
2. easy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To strenuous
stren·u·ous   (strěn'yōō-əs)   
adj.  

  1. Requiring great effort, energy, or exertion: a strenuous task.

  2. Vigorously active; energetic or zealous.


[From Latin strēnuus.]
stren'u·ous·ly adv., stren'u·ous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

strenuous 
"characterized by great effort," 1599, from L. strenuus "active, vigorous, keen." Probably cognate with Gk. strenes, strenos "keen, strong," strenos "arrogance, eager desire," O.E. stierne "hard, severe, keen" (see stern (adj.)). Mocked by Ben Jonson as a pedantic neologism in "Poetaster" (1601). Sense of "requiring much energy" is first recorded 1671.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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