Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

toughness

 - 3 dictionary results

tough

  [tuhf] ,adjective, -er, -est, adverb, noun, verb
Use toughness in a Sentence
–adjective
1. strong and durable; not easily broken or cut.
2. not brittle or tender.
3. difficult to masticate, as food: a tough steak.
4. of viscous consistency, as liquid or semiliquid matter: tough molasses.
5. capable of great endurance; sturdy; hardy: tough troops.
6. not easily influenced, as a person; unyielding; stubborn: a tough man to work for.
7. hardened; incorrigible: a tough criminal.
8. difficult to perform, accomplish, or deal with; hard, trying, or troublesome: a tough problem.
9. hard to bear or endure (often used ironically): tough luck.
10. vigorous; severe; violent: a tough struggle.
11. vicious; rough; rowdyish: a tough character; a tough neighborhood.
12. practical, realistic, and lacking in sentimentality; tough-minded.
13. Slang. remarkably excellent; first-rate; great.
–adverb
14. in a tough manner.
–noun
15. a ruffian; rowdy.
—Idioms
16. hang tough, Slang. hang (def. 56).
17. tough it out, Informal. to endure or resist hardship or adversity.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME (adj.); OE tōh; cf. D taai, G zäh(e)

Related forms:
toughly, adverb
toughness, noun

Synonyms:
1. firm, hard. 5. durable. 6. inflexible.

Antonyms:
1. fragile. 5. feeble, weak.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To toughness
tough   (tŭf)   
adj.   tough·er, tough·est

  1. Able to withstand great strain without tearing or breaking; strong and resilient: a tough all-weather fabric.

  2. Hard to cut or chew: tough meat.

  3. Physically hardy; rugged: tough mountaineers; a tough cop.

  4. Severe; harsh: a tough winter.

    1. Aggressive; pugnacious.

    2. Inclined to violent or disruptive behavior; rowdy or rough: a tough street group.

  6. Demanding or troubling; difficult: skipping the toughest questions.

  7. Strong-minded; resolute: a tough negotiator.

  8. Slang Unfortunate; too bad: a tough break.

  9. Slang Fine; great.

n.  A violent or rowdy person; a hoodlum or thug.

[Middle English, from Old English tōh.]
tough'ly adv., tough'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.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

tough 
O.E. toh "difficult to break or chew," from P.Gmc. *tankhuz (cf. M.L.G. tege, M.Du. taey, Du. taai, O.H.G. zach, Ger. zäh). See rough for spelling change. Fig. sense of "strenuous, difficult, hard to beat" is first recorded c.1205; that of "hard to do, trying, laborious" is from 1619. The noun meaning "street ruffian" (U.S.) is from 1866. Toughen is attested from 1582. Verb tough it "endure the experience" is first recorded 1830, Amer.Eng. Tough guy first recorded 1932. Tough-minded first recorded 1907 in William James. Tough luck first recorded 1912; tough shit is from 1946.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see toughness on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way