Tough

Pronunciation

• IPA: /tÊŒf/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒf
• Homophones: tuff

Origin

From Middle English tough, towgh, tou, toȝ, from Old English tōh ("tough, tenacious, holding fast together; pliant; sticky, glutinous, clammy"), from Proto-Germanic *tanhuz ("fitting; clinging; tenacious; tough"), from Proto-Indo-European *denḱ- ("to bite"), nasalised derivative of Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- ("to tear, rip, fray"). Cognate with Scots teuch ("tough"), North Frisian tōch, tūch ("tough"), Dutch taai ("tough"), Low German tage, taag, taë, taa ("tough"), German zähe, zäh ("tough"), German dialectal zach ("tough").

Full definition of tough

Adjective

1. Strong and resilient; sturdy.The tent, made of tough canvas, held up to many abuses.
2. (of food) Difficult to cut or chew.To soften a tough cut of meat, the recipe suggested simmering it for hours.
3. Rugged or physically hardy.Only a tough species will survive in the desert.
4. Stubborn.He had a reputation as a tough negotiator.
5. (of weather etc) Harsh or severe.
6. Rowdy or rough.A bunch of the tough boys from the wrong side of the tracks threatened him.
7. (of questions, etc.) Difficult or demanding.This is a tough crowd.
8. (material science) Undergoing plastic deformation before breaking.

Derived terms

Interjection

1. (slang) Used to indicate lack of sympathyIf you don't like it, tough!

Noun

1. A person who obtains things by force; a thug or bully.They were doing fine until they encountered a bunch of toughs from the opposition.

Verb

1. To endure.
2. To toughen.

Derived terms

• tough it out
• tough out

Anagrams

• ought