English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
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adj

sturdy

STUR-dee
adj
1
Strongly built and unlikely to break or give way.
"They needed a sturdy ladder to reach the roof."
"The old bridge still looks remarkably sturdy after a century."
2
Firm and resolute in character.
"She gave a sturdy defense of her position under questioning."

How to Use Sturdy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSolidly built and durable, or (of a person or stance) firm and unwavering.

Common pairings
sturdy build sturdy table sturdy shoes

Word Forms

sturdier comparative, Sturdys plural, sturdiest superlative

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They needed a _____ ladder to reach the roof.

Etymology

From Middle English sturdy ("bold, fierce, strong"), from Old French estourdi ("dazed"), ultimately from a Latin root — the "physically strong" sense developed later, in the 14th century.

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