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   tough

   /tʌf/

   adjective

   • 1. (of a substance or object) strong enough to withstand adverse conditions or rough handling: "tough rucksacks for climbers" Similar durablestrongresilientresistantsturdyruggedfirmsolidsubstantialsoundstoutindestructibleunbreakablehardrigidstiffinflexibletoughenedhard-wearinglong-lastingheavy-dutywell builtmade to lastOpposite softfragileflimsy
   • ▪ (of food, especially meat) difficult to cut or chew: "the hastily prepared steak was tough" Similar chewyleatherygristlystringyfibroussinewycartilaginousOpposite tender
   • 2. able to endure hardship or pain: "she was as tough as old boots" Similar resilientstronghardygrittydeterminedresolutedoggedstalwartruggedfitrobustpowerfulred-bloodeddoughtyhardenedcynicalhard-bitteninformal:hard(as) tough as old bootsOpposite weaksentimental
   • ▪ having the confidence and determination to cope in difficult situations: "he liked editors who were tough enough to make the grade"
   • ▪ difficult and requiring determination or effort: "we have six tough matches in a row" Similar arduousonerousdifficultdemandinghardheavytaxingburdensometiringexhaustingpunishingwearyingfatiguinglaboriousstrenuousexactingtroublesomeformidablestressfulHerculeanrare:toilsomeexigentdifficulthardknottythornybafflingtrickyticklishpricklyperplexingpuzzlingmystifyingtroublesomebothersomeirksomeintractableOpposite easyeasy
   • ▪ used to express sympathy with someone in a difficult situation: "Poor kid. It's tough on her"
   • 3. demonstrating a strict and uncompromising approach: "police have been getting tough with drivers" Similar strictsternseverehardharshfirmhard-hittingadamantinflexibleunyieldingunbendinguncompromisingunsentimentalunsympatheticmercilessruthlesscalloushard-hearteduncaringcoldcoolstonystony-heartedflintyinformal:hard-nosedhard-boiledbadassOpposite softlight
   • ▪ used to express a lack of sympathy with someone: "I feel the way I feel, and if you don't like it, tough"
   • 4. strong and prone to violence: "tough young teenagers" Similar roughrowdyunrulydisorderlyviolentwildlawlesslawbreakingcriminalviciouscalloushardened
   • ▪ (of an area) notorious for violence and crime: "a tough part of the town" Similar roughrowdyunrulydisorderlyviolentwildlawlesslawbreakingcriminalviciouscalloushardened

   noun

   • 1. a rough and violent man: informal "a gang of toughs"

   verb

   • 1. endure a period of hardship or difficulty. informal

   Word Origin Old Englishtōh, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch taai and German zäh.

   Derivatives

   • 1. toughish adjective
   • 2. toughly adverb

   Scrabble Points: 9

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2. People also ask

   What does tough mean?

   • Get a quick, free translation! TOUGH definition: 1. strong; not easily broken or made weaker: 2. of a person, able to deal with difficult…. Learn more.

   TOUGH | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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   What is a tough person?

   • A tough is a tough person. Three burly toughs elbowed their way to the front. A tough place or area is considered to have a lot of crime and violence . She doesn't seem cut out for this tough neighbourhood. Arthur grew up in a tough city. A tough way of life or period of time is difficult or full of suffering. She had a pretty tough childhood.

   TOUGH definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   What does a tough line mean?

   • The school takes a tough line on (= punishes severely) cheating. The judge was well known for his tough stance on corruption. Local traders are calling for tougher action against vandals. strong enough to deal successfully with difficult conditions or situations He's not tough enough for a career in sales.

   tough adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/tough_1

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   What is a tough substance?

   • A tough substance is strong, and difficult to break, cut, or tear . In industry, diamond can form a tough, non-corrosive coating for tools. ...dark brown beans with a rather tough outer skin. Tough meat is difficult to cut and chew . The steak was tough and the peas were like bullets.

   TOUGH definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/tough

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3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishTOUGH | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning of tough as an adjective and a noun, with synonyms, antonyms, and idioms. Find out how to use tough to describe strength, difficulty, violence, food, and luck.

4. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishTOUGH definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation, synonyms, and usage of the adjective 'tough' in British and American English. Find out how to say 'tough' in different contexts, such as describing a person, a place, a problem, or a substance.

5. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › toughTough Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › tough

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word tough, from adjective to verb to noun. See synonyms, examples, etymology, and related phrases of tough.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › toughTough - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › tough

   Tough means "strong, hard, unbending," and you can use it to describe many different things, like a tough exam, or a tough piece of beef jerky, or a tough day that you just want to be over. If a judge punishes criminals harshly to set examples, she's "tough on crime."

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitiontough adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

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   • having or causing problems or difficulties. a tough childhood. It was a tough decision to make. During the interview I was asked some really tough questions.
   • demanding that particular rules be obeyed and showing a lack of sympathy for any problems that this may cause. tough with somebody/something It's about time teachers started to get tough with bullies.
   • strong enough to deal successfully with difficult conditions or situations. a tough breed of cattle. He's not tough enough for a career in sales. She’s a tough cookie/customer (= somebody who knows what they want and is not easily influenced by other people).
   • (of a person) physically strong and likely to be violent. You think you're so tough, don't you? He plays the tough guy in the movie. Then this guy started acting tough.

8. www.dictionary.com › browse › toughTOUGH Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   difficult to perform, accomplish, or deal with; hard, trying, or troublesome: a tough problem. hard to bear or endure (often used ironically): tough luck. vigorous; severe; violent: a tough struggle. vicious; rough; rowdyish: a tough character; a tough neighborhood.

9. dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › toughTOUGH | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › tough

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   Learn the meaning of tough as an adjective in English, with synonyms, antonyms, and usage examples. Tough can mean difficult, severe, strong, determined, or unfair.