tough

Meanings

• adjective

  having the ability to endure hard conditions; able to bear up under stress; not easily damaged or destroyed.

  - "The tough fiber in denim makes jeans durable."
  - "Despite the harsh weather, the hikers found the trail tough but rewarding."

• adjective

  difficult to deal with; requiring great strength or effort; not easily overcome.

  - "The math problem was tough, but she managed to solve it."
  - "The competition was tough, but he emerged as the winner."

• adjective

  resilient; able to withstand hardship, criticism, or condemnation.

  - "The tough cookies in the class were not intimidated by the difficult exam."
  - "Despite the setbacks, she remained a tough and determined businesswoman."

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Pronunciation

1. /tʌf/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=589398"

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with tough
rough , tough , enough , bough , dough , roughhewn

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Variants

List of all variants of tough that leads to same result
tough , tougher , toughest , toughly , toughs , tough it out , toughed , toughed it out , toughing , toughing it out , toughs it out , tough love , tough-minded , tough-mindedness , tough-mindednesses , tough shit , tough cookie , tough luck , get tough on , get tough on crime , get tougher on , get tougher on crime , gets tough on , gets tough on crime , gets tougher on , gets tougher on crime , getting tough on , getting tough on crime , getting tougher on , getting tougher on crime , got tough on , got tough on crime , got tougher on , got tougher on crime

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Forms

Different forms of the word (e.g., verb conjugations, plural forms, comparative/superlative forms for adjectives).

tougher, toughest, toughness

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Old English 'tuf' meaning 'turf, tuft, matted growth'; related to Old Norse 'tufa' meaning 'turf, moss'. The modern sense of 'tough' as 'strong, hardy' developed in Middle English.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'tough cookie' originated in the 1940s and was used to describe women who were independent and self-sufficient.

2. The word 'tough' is also used in geology to describe rocks that are hard and resistant to weathering.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. resilience: The ability to recover quickly from adversity or stress.

2. fortitude: Courage and strength in difficult or challenging situations.

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Quotes

Quotes by authors and personalities

1. I have a "tough" constitution, and my profession taught me how to compete against long odds and big obstacles.

   - Lance Armstrong,{it}It's Not About The Bike{/it},(2000) 2001

2. He had on the other hand to preserve his own reputation as a "tough" D.A. who dealt handily with the criminal classes.

   - E. L. Doctorow,{it}Ragtime{/it},(1974) 1975

3. … this wiry, "tough", frenetic Algerian with the beneficent smile, who could vault over the bar and stiff-arm a drunk out into the night in less time than it takes to say Edgar Poe, and return, bland as butter, to take up where he left off …

   - William Styron,"{it}The Paris Review{/it}",August 1953,{"source"=>"in William Styron, {it}This Quiet Dust And Other Writings{/it}", "aqdate"=>"(1953) 1982"}

4. … Pelletreau had firsthand experience in dealing with Israelis as well as with Arabs and had a reputation for being bold, analytical, and "tough" as nails.

   - Robert D. Kaplan,{it}The Arabists{/it},1993

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

The word 'tough' has been used extensively in literature and art to describe characters who face adversity and remain strong. In music, the term 'tough guy' or 'tough gal' refers to someone who projects a tough exterior but may have vulnerabilities beneath the surface. In sports, a 'tough loss' is a defeat that is disappointing but not demoralizing.

How to Memorize "tough"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a tree trunk, which is tough and able to withstand the elements.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'tough' with the idea of strength and resilience.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'Tough Trees Triumph' to remember the definition of 'tough'.

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