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1. Dictionary

   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. 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.

   • English (US)

     TOUGH meaning: 1. strong; not easily broken or made weaker:...

   • Tough: Russian Translation

     TOUGH translate: трудный , строгий, жесткий , прочный,...

   • Tough: Italian Translation

     TOUGH translate: duro, difficile, forte, duro, duro,...

   • Znaczenie Tough, Definicja W Cambridge English Dictionary

     TOUGH definicja: 1. strong; not easily broken or made...

   • Tough-Minded

     TOUGH-MINDED definition: basing decisions on facts and...

   • Tough Spanish Translation

     TOUGH translate: resistente, fuerte, difícil, duro, duro,...

   • Tough: Korean Translation

     TOUGH translate: 어려운, 터프한, (음식이) 질긴, 질긴, 단단한. Learn more in...

   • Tough: Polish Translation

     TOUGH translate: trudny, restrykcyjny, twardy, twardy,...

3. 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.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › toughTOUGH Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › tough

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   Tough is an adjective that means strong, durable, difficult, or unyielding. It can also be a noun, adverb, or verb with different meanings. Learn more about the word history, idioms, and usage of tough.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   If you describe someone as tough, you mean that they are rough and violent. He had shot three people dead, earning himself a reputation as a tough guy. Synonyms: violent, rough, vicious, ruthless More Synonyms of tough. A tough is a tough person.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishtough adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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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.

7. 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."

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › toughTough - definition of tough by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › tough

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   Learn the meaning, synonyms, and examples of the adjective and noun "tough" in English. Find out how to use "tough" in idioms, slang, and verb forms.