adj
Common
hardcore
hahd-KAW
Hardcore (adj) means Deeply committed or dedicated to something, often to an extreme degree. Example: “My brother is a hardcore gamer who plays for six hours every evening.”
adj
1
Deeply committed or dedicated to something, often to an extreme degree.
"My brother is a hardcore gamer who plays for six hours every evening."
"Only the most hardcore runners train through the winter in freezing rain."
"He's a hardcore fan who has been to every game this season."
noun
1
A fast, aggressive genre of punk or electronic music.
"I prefer hardcore to pop because the songs are short, loud and fast."
"They played hardcore in a cramped basement while the crowd jumped around."
"The band started out playing hardcore in small clubs before going mainstream."
How to use hardcore
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtremely dedicated or intense, or a genre of aggressive music.
When to use it
Also used as a blunt term for explicit sexual content — context makes the meaning clear.
Common pairings
hardcore fan
hardcore punk
go hardcore
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more hardcore
- Superlative
- most hardcore
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My brother is a _____ gamer who plays for six hours every evening.
Etymology
From hard plus core, literally "hard at the core" — first used in the 1930s and adopted as slang for intensity by the 1950s.
Related words
Rhymes for hardcore
See all rhymes for hardcore →Frequently asked questions
What does “hardcore” mean?
The word “hardcore” means deeply committed or dedicated to something, often to an extreme degree. In plain terms, extremely dedicated or intense, or a genre of aggressive music.
How do you pronounce “hardcore”?
“Hardcore” is pronounced hahd-KAW (/hɑː(ɹ)dˈkɔː(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “hardcore” in a sentence?
Here is “hardcore” used in a sentence: “He's a hardcore fan who has been to every game this season.”
What part of speech is “hardcore”?
Depending on how it is used, “hardcore” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “hardcore” come from?
The word “hardcore” dates back to around 1930. From hard plus core, literally "hard at the core" — first used in the 1930s and adopted as slang for intensity by the 1950s.
Is “hardcore” a common word?
“Hardcore” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hardcore” have?
“Hardcore” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: deeply committed or dedicated to something, often to an extreme degree.
What is the difference between hardcore and diehard?
Both describe intense commitment, but hardcore emphasises the extreme degree or seriousness of that dedication. Diehard stresses stubborn loyalty and refusal to give up, often applied to long-standing fans or supporters.
Is hardcore written as one word or two?
When it means deeply committed or names the music genre, hardcore is normally written as one word. Written as two words, "hard core," it usually refers literally to the solid central part of something or to a small, committed nucleus of a group.
When is hardcore used as a noun?
As a noun, hardcore most often names a fast, aggressive genre of punk or electronic music. As an adjective, it instead describes intense dedication, as in a hardcore supporter.
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