tough

[ tuhf ]

adjective

, tough·er, tough·est.

1. strong and durable; not easily broken or cut.

   Synonyms: hard, firm

   Antonyms: fragile

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.

   Synonyms: durable

   Antonyms: weak, feeble

6. not easily influenced, as a person; unyielding; stubborn:

   a tough man to work for.

   Synonyms: inflexible

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

1. in a tough manner.

noun

1. a ruffian; rowdy.

tough

/ tʌf /

adjective

1. strong or resilient; durable

   a tough material

2. not tender

   he could not eat the tough steak

3. having a great capacity for endurance; hardy and fit

   a tough mountaineer

4. rough or pugnacious

   a tough gangster

5. resolute or intractable

   a tough employer

6. difficult or troublesome to do or deal with

   a tough problem

7. informal.
   unfortunate or unlucky

   it's tough on him

noun

1. a rough, vicious, or pugnacious person

adverb

1. informal.
   violently, aggressively, or intractably

   to treat someone tough

2. hang tough informal.
   to be or appear to be strong or determined

verb

1. slang.
   tr to stand firm, hold out against (a difficulty or difficult situation) (esp in tough it out )

Derived Forms

• ˈtoughish, adjective
• ˈtoughly, adverb

Other Words From

• toughly adverb
• toughness noun
• super·tough adjective
• un·tough adjective
• un·toughly adverb
• un·toughness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tough¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English (adjective); Old English tōh; compare Dutch taai, German zäh(e)

Word History and Origins

Origin of tough¹

Old English tōh; related to Old High German zāhi tough, Old Norse tā trodden ground in front of a house

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hang tough, Slang. hang ( def 62 ).
2. tough it out, Informal. to endure or resist hardship or adversity.

More idioms and phrases containing tough

• get tough
• gut (tough) it out
• hang tough
• hard (tough) act to follow
• hard (tough) nut to crack

Example Sentences

Leavitt has never really worked as a reporter and has no idea how the press operates, but according to Trump, “Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator.”

From Salon

It’s tough taking over as an interim coach, with lots of pressure.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s the toughest meeting when you’ve never been before and you finally find the courage to go.

From Los Angeles Times

“He’s just so excited to come home and see our little man. And Jordan always can put a smile on his face even on those toughest days.”

From Los Angeles Times

He wants to “get tough” on drug dealers, as well as homeless people who refuse to accept shelter or treatment.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hooligan
• rough
• thug