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

Maybe voters thought prisoners should be made to work as part of their punishment, which would be in keeping with the broader “tough on crime” tilt of this year’s electorate.

From Los Angeles Times

But whatever happens, it is going to be a very tough winter if my afternoon in that Hampshire call centre is anything to go by.

From BBC

A government spokesperson said it had taken "tough decisions to fix the foundations" so that a £22bn boost for the NHS and social care could be announced in October's Budget.

From BBC

"It is tough to close out a match against him, knowing it could be his last," said Van de Zandschulp.

From BBC

Revenues from its wholesale and franchise business dropped by 46% to £5.4 million, as it was particularly affected by partners in Italy and Denmark reducing their orders due to tough conditions.

From BBC

Related Words

• hooligan
• rough
• thug