adj
Uncommon
sturdy
STUR-dee
Sturdy (adj) means Strongly built and unlikely to break or give way. Example: “They needed a sturdy ladder to reach the roof.”
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 notesIn plain EnglishSolidly built and durable, or (of a person or stance) firm and unwavering.
Common pairings
sturdy build
sturdy table
sturdy shoes
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Word forms
- Comparative
- sturdier
- Superlative
- sturdiest
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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.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for sturdy
See all rhymes for sturdy →Frequently asked questions
What does “sturdy” mean?
The word “sturdy” means strongly built and unlikely to break or give way. In plain terms, solidly built and durable, or (of a person or stance) firm and unwavering.
How do you pronounce “sturdy”?
“Sturdy” is pronounced STUR-dee (/ˈstɜrdi/ in IPA).
How do you use “sturdy” in a sentence?
Here is “sturdy” used in a sentence: “They needed a sturdy ladder to reach the roof.”
What is another word for “sturdy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sturdy” include hardy, staunch and stalwart.
What part of speech is “sturdy”?
“Sturdy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sturdy” come from?
The word “sturdy” dates back to around 1300 and comes from Latin. 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.
Is “sturdy” a common word?
“Sturdy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sturdy” have?
“Sturdy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: strongly built and unlikely to break or give way.
