tough
tuhf
Tough (adjective) means Strong and resilient; not easily broken, worn out, or damaged. Example: “These work boots are made from tough leather.”
adjective
1
Strong and resilient; not easily broken, worn out, or damaged.
"These work boots are made from tough leather."
"Children's school bags need to be tough enough to survive daily wear."
"This tough little car has crossed muddy fields without a single problem."
2
Difficult to cut or chew, describing food.
"The steak was overcooked and tough."
"The meat was so tough that I could hardly chew it."
"Cheap cuts of beef can be tough unless you cook them slowly."
3
Physically or mentally hardy; able to endure difficulty.
"You have to be tough to survive a winter that cold."
"She stayed tough through months of gruelling training."
"Our grandfather was a tough man who never complained about the cold."
4
Difficult or demanding, describing a situation, task, or question.
"That was a tough exam."
"We've had a tough year financially."
"Choosing between two good job offers was a tough decision for her."
interjection
1
Used to show a lack of sympathy for someone's complaint.
""I don't want to go." "Tough — you're going anyway.""
"You wanted the window seat and missed out? Tough, you should have booked earlier."
"If you don't like the rota, tough, because it's not changing."
How to use tough
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStrong and hard to damage, or (of a situation) difficult and demanding endurance.
Common mistake
As an interjection ("Tough!"), it sounds blunt and dismissive — use it only when you deliberately want to withhold sympathy.
Common pairings
tough as nails
tough luck
tough call
tough love
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Word forms
- Plural
- toughs
- Third person singular
- toughs
- Past tense
- toughed
- Comparative
- tougher
- Superlative
- toughest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
These work boots are made from _____ leather.
Etymology
From Old English tōh, meaning "tenacious" or "sticky, holding fast together" — related to words in German (zäh) and Dutch (taai) that carry the same sense.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for tough
See all rhymes for tough →Frequently asked questions
What does “tough” mean?
The word “tough” means strong and resilient; not easily broken, worn out, or damaged. In plain terms, strong and hard to damage, or (of a situation) difficult and demanding endurance.
How do you pronounce “tough”?
“Tough” is pronounced tuhf (/tʌf/ in IPA).
How do you use “tough” in a sentence?
Here is “tough” used in a sentence: “These work boots are made from tough leather.”
What part of speech is “tough”?
Depending on how it is used, “tough” can be an adjective and an interjection.
Where does the word “tough” come from?
The word “tough” comes from Old English. From Old English tōh, meaning "tenacious" or "sticky, holding fast together" — related to words in German (zäh) and Dutch (taai) that carry the same sense.
Is “tough” a common word?
“Tough” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tough” have?
“Tough” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: strong and resilient; not easily broken, worn out, or damaged.
What is the difference between tough and strong?
Strong describes power or force — the ability to exert or resist a load. Tough describes resilience and durability — the ability to withstand wear, hardship, or damage without breaking. A weightlifter is strong; old boots that survive years of abuse are tough. Something can easily be one without the other.
Can a person be tough?
Yes. Applied to people, tough means resilient and hard to wear down — able to endure pain, stress, or hardship without giving up. A tough competitor keeps fighting; a tough upbringing tests someone's resolve. It can also mean strict or uncompromising, as in a tough negotiator or being tough on crime.
Is tough a positive or negative word?
It depends on context. Describing durability or resilience, tough is positive — a tough material lasts, a tough person copes well. But tough can also mean difficult or harsh: a tough exam, a tough break, a tough boss, or tough meat that is hard to chew. Tone and situation decide.
What is the opposite of tough?
It varies by sense. For durable materials, the opposite is fragile, delicate, or flimsy. For resilient people, it is weak or soft. For chewy food, the opposite is tender. And when tough means difficult, the opposite is easy. Context decides which antonym fits best.
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