adj
ironclad
Ironclad (adj) means So solid or certain that it cannot reasonably be disputed or broken. Example: “The contract came with an ironclad guarantee.”
adj
1
So solid or certain that it cannot reasonably be disputed or broken.
"The contract came with an ironclad guarantee."
"She had an ironclad alibi for the night of the robbery."
noun
1
Historically, a warship protected by iron or steel armor plating.
"The battle between two ironclads changed naval warfare forever."
How to use ironclad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtremely solid and dependable — used mostly for agreements, alibis, or guarantees today.
Common pairings
ironclad contract
ironclad alibi
ironclad guarantee
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Word forms
- Plural
- ironclads
- Comparative
- more ironclad
- Superlative
- most ironclad
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The contract came with an _____ guarantee.
Etymology
From iron plus clad ("clothed, covered") — literally "covered in iron," originally describing armored warships.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ironclad” mean?
The word “ironclad” means so solid or certain that it cannot reasonably be disputed or broken. In plain terms, extremely solid and dependable — used mostly for agreements, alibis, or guarantees today.
How do you use “ironclad” in a sentence?
Here is “ironclad” used in a sentence: “The contract came with an ironclad guarantee.”
What part of speech is “ironclad”?
Depending on how it is used, “ironclad” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “ironclad” have?
“Ironclad” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: so solid or certain that it cannot reasonably be disputed or broken.
