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tough

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The definition of tough is someone or something strong and flexible, rugged, harsh or hard to chew or cut through.

(adjective)

An example of tough is vinyl.
An example of tough is a champion boxer.
An example of tough is the day after a sleepless night.
An example of tough is beef jerky.

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See tough in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

strong but pliant; that will bend, twist, etc. without tearing or breaking
that will not cut or chew easily: tough steak
strongly cohesive; glutinous; viscous; sticky: tough putty
1. strong of physique; robust; hardy
2. displaying mental or moral firmness
hard to convince or influence; stubborn
practical and realistic rather than emotional or sentimental
overly aggressive; brutal or rough
1. very difficult; toilsome
2. vigorous or violent: a tough fight
Informal unfavorable; bad: a tough break
☆ Slang fine; excellent: a generalized term of approval

Origin: ME < OE toh, akin to Ger zäh, tough, viscous, prob. < IE base *denk-, to bite > tongs

noun

a tough person; thug

Related Forms:

toughly adverb
toughness noun

See tough in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective tough·er, tough·est

Able to withstand great strain without tearing or breaking; strong and resilient: a tough all-weather fabric.
Hard to cut or chew: tough meat.
Physically hardy; rugged: tough mountaineers; a tough cop.
Severe; harsh: a tough winter.
a. Aggressive; pugnacious.
b. Inclined to violent or disruptive behavior; rowdy or rough: a tough street group.
Demanding or troubling; difficult: skipping the toughest questions.
Strong-minded; resolute: a tough negotiator.
Slang Unfortunate; too bad: a tough break.
Slang Fine; great.

noun

A violent or rowdy person; a hoodlum or thug.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English tōh

.

Related Forms:

toughˈly adverb

toughˈness noun

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