adj
Common
hardy
HAH-dee
Hardy (adj) means Able to endure difficult conditions, fatigue, or hardship; tough and resilient. Example: “The hardy climbers pushed on despite the storm.”
adj
1
Able to endure difficult conditions, fatigue, or hardship; tough and resilient.
"The hardy climbers pushed on despite the storm."
"Sheep are hardy animals that can survive harsh winters."
"Only hardy travellers made it across the mountains in winter."
2
Of a plant, able to survive cold or harsh growing conditions, especially frost.
"These roses are hardy enough to survive a UK winter outdoors."
"Lavender is a hardy plant that survives frosty nights."
"Choose hardy shrubs if your garden gets very cold."
3
Brave and bold.
"It took a hardy soul to volunteer for the mission."
"A few hardy villagers stood up to speak first."
"She was a hardy adventurer who feared nothing."
How to use hardy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTough enough to withstand harsh conditions — used for people, animals, and especially plants that survive cold weather.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "hearty," which describes warmth, enthusiasm, or a filling meal (a "hearty meal") rather than toughness.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hardy plant
hardy perennial
hardy souls
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Word forms
- Plural
- hardies
- Comparative
- hardier
- Superlative
- hardiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ climbers pushed on despite the storm.
Etymology
From Old French hardi ("bold, daring"), ultimately linked to the Germanic root behind the word "hard."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for hardy
See all rhymes for hardy →Frequently asked questions
What does “hardy” mean?
The word “hardy” means able to endure difficult conditions, fatigue, or hardship; tough and resilient. In plain terms, tough enough to withstand harsh conditions — used for people, animals, and especially plants that survive cold weather.
How do you pronounce “hardy”?
“Hardy” is pronounced HAH-dee (/ˈhɑɹdi/ in IPA).
How do you use “hardy” in a sentence?
Here is “hardy” used in a sentence: “The hardy climbers pushed on despite the storm.”
What part of speech is “hardy”?
“Hardy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “hardy” come from?
The word “hardy” comes from Old French. From Old French hardi ("bold, daring"), ultimately linked to the Germanic root behind the word "hard.".
Is “hardy” a common word?
“Hardy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hardy” have?
“Hardy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: able to endure difficult conditions, fatigue, or hardship; tough and resilient.
What is the difference between hardy and healthy?
Hardy describes the ability to endure difficult conditions, fatigue, or hardship, while healthy simply describes being free from illness or in good physical condition. A person or plant can be healthy without being hardy, since hardiness is specifically about resilience under stress.
What does it mean for a plant to be hardy?
A hardy plant is one able to survive cold or harsh growing conditions, especially frost, without special protection. Gardeners use "hardy" to describe plants that can be left outdoors through winter in a given climate.
What is the difference between hardy and brave?
Hardy emphasizes physical toughness and the ability to endure hardship or harsh conditions, while brave emphasizes courage in the face of danger or fear. Hardy can also carry the sense of being brave and bold, but its core meaning leans toward resilience rather than fearlessness.
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