Tough
As an Adjective
- Strong and durable; not easily broken or damaged.
- Physically or mentally resilient; able to endure hardship or difficulty.
- Strict, demanding, or difficult to deal with.
- Difficult to chew or cut (when referring to food).
As a Noun
- A rough or violent person, often associated with strength or aggressiveness.
As a Verb (Informal)
- Tough it out: To endure a difficult situation with resilience.
Word History
The word tough comes from the Old English tōh, meaning “strong, firm, not easily broken.” Over time, it retained its core meaning while expanding to describe resilience, difficulty, and even personality traits.
Examples
- This jacket is made of tough leather.
- She is a tough competitor who never gives up.
- The teacher gave us a tough exam.
- The steak was too tough to chew.
- He acted like a tough, but deep down, he was kind.
Synonyms
Strong, durable, resilient, harsh, firm
Related Words
Hard, sturdy, strict, unyielding
Antonyms
Weak, fragile, soft, easy, lenient
