First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1hard
adjective \ˈhärd\
: very firm or solid : not easy to bend, cut, etc. : not soft
: physically or mentally difficult : not easy
: difficult to experience : severe or harsh : having a lot of pain, trouble, or worries
Full Definition of HARD
1
a : not easily penetrated : not easily yielding to pressure b of cheese : not capable of being spread : very firm
2
a of liquor (1) : having a harsh or acid taste (2) : strongly alcoholic b : characterized by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium) that prevent lathering with soap <hard water>
3
a : of or relating to radiation of relatively high penetrating power : having high energy <hard X rays> b : having or producing relatively great photographic contrast <a hard negative>
4
a : metallic as distinct from paper <hard money> b of currency : convertible into gold : stable in value c : usable as currency <paid in hard cash> d of currency : readily acceptable in international trade e : being high and firm <hard prices>
5
a : firmly and closely twisted <hard yarns> b : having a smooth close napless finish <a hard worsted>
6
a : physically fit <in good hard condition> b : resistant to stress or disease c : free of weakness or defects
7
a (1) : firm, definite <reached a hard agreement> (2) : not speculative or conjectural : factual <hard evidence> (3) : important or informative rather than sensational or entertaining <hard news> b : close, searching <gave a hard look> c : free from sentimentality or illusion : realistic <good hard sense> d : lacking in responsiveness : obdurate, unfeeling <a hard heart>
8
a (1) : difficult to bear or endure <hard luck> <hard times> (2) : oppressive, inequitable <sales taxes are hard on the poor> <a hard restriction> b (1) : lacking consideration, compassion, or gentleness : callous <a hard greedy landlord> (2) : incorrigible, tough <a hard gang> c (1) : harsh, severe, or offensive in tendency or effect <said some hard things> (2) : resentful <hard feelings> (3) : strict, unrelenting <drives a hard bargain> d : inclement <hard winter> e (1) : intense in force, manner, or degree <hard blows> (2) : demanding the exertion of energy : calling for stamina and endurance <hard work> (3) : performing or carrying on with great energy, intensity, or persistence <a hard worker> f : most unyielding or thoroughgoing <the hard political right>
9
a : characterized by sharp or harsh outline, rigid execution, and stiff drawing b : sharply defined : stark <hard shadows> c : lacking in shading, delicacy, or resonance <hard singing tones> d : sounding as in arcing and geese respectively —used of c and g e : suggestive of toughness or insensitivity <hard eyes>
10
a (1) : difficult to accomplish or resolve : troublesome <hard problems> <the true story was hard to come by> (2) : difficult to comprehend or explain <a hard concept> b : having difficulty in doing something <hard of hearing> c : difficult to magnetize or demagnetize
11
: being at once addictive and gravely detrimental to health <such hard drugs as heroin>
12
: resistant to biodegradation <hard detergents> <hard pesticides such as DDT>
13
: being, schooled in, or using the methods of the natural sciences and especially of the physical sciences <a hard scientist>
14
of money : contributed (as by individuals or political action committees) directly to a particular candidate or campaign
See hard defined for English-language learners
See hard defined for kids
Origin of HARD
Middle English, from Old English heard; akin to Old High German hart hard, Greek kratos strength
Related to HARD
- Synonyms
- affectless, callous, case-hardened, cold-blooded, compassionless, desensitized, hard-boiled, hard-hearted, heartless, indurate, inhuman, inhumane, insensate, insensitive, ironhearted, merciless, obdurate, pachydermatous, pitiless, remorseless, ruthless, slash-and-burn, soulless, stony (also stoney), stonyhearted, take-no-prisoners, thick-skinned, uncharitable, unfeeling, unmerciful, unsparing, unsympathetic
- Antonyms
- charitable, compassionate, humane, kindhearted, kindly, merciful, sensitive, softhearted, sympathetic, tender, tenderhearted, warm, warmhearted
Synonym Discussion of HARD
hard, difficult, arduous mean demanding great exertion or effort. hard implies the opposite of all that is easy <farming is hard work>. difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill or courage <the difficult ascent of the mountain>. arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion <the arduous task of rebuilding>.
Other Physics Terms
2hard
adverb
: with a lot of effort or energy
: in a very forceful way : in a loud and forceful way
: in a very direct and intense way
Full Definition of HARD
1
a : with great or utmost effort or energy : strenuously <were hard at work> b : in a violent manner : fiercely c : to the full extent —usually used in nautical directions <steer hard aport> d : to an immoderate degree e : in a searching, close, or concentrated manner <stared hard at me>
2
a : in such a manner as to cause hardship, difficulty, or pain b : with rancor, bitterness, or grief <took the defeat hard>
3
: in a firm manner : tightly
4
: to the point of hardness <frozen hard>
5
: close in time or space <stands hard by the river>
See hard defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HARD
before 12th century
Related to HARD
- Synonyms
- amain, arduously, assiduously, determinedly, diligently, doggedly, hardly, industriously, intensely, intensively, intently, laboriously, mightily, purposefully, resolutely, sedulously, slavishly, strenuously
- Antonyms
- blissfully, gladly, happily, joyfully, joyously
HARD Defined for Kids
1hard
adjective \ˈhärd\
hard·erhard·est
Definition of HARD for Kids
1
: not easily cut, pierced, or divided : not soft
2
: difficult to do or to understand <a hard job> <That book contains some hard words.>
4
: difficult to put up with : severe <a hard winter> <a hard life>
5
: sounding as the letter c in cold or the letter g in geese
6
: carried on with steady and earnest effort <hours of hard study>
7
: unfeeling <He's a hard boss.>
8
: high in alcoholic content <hard drinks>
9
: containing substances that prevent lathering with soap <hard water>
— hard·ness \ˈhärd-nəs\ noun
Synonym Discussion of HARD
hard, firm, and solid mean having a structure that can stand up against pressure. hard is used of something that does not easily bend, stretch, or dent. <Steel is hard.> firm is used of something that is flexible but also tough or compact. <Exercise makes firm muscles.> solid is used of something that has a fixed structure and is heavy and compact all the way through. <They built a solid wall of bricks.>
2hard
adverb
hard·erhard·est
Definition of HARD for Kids
1
: with great effort or energy <I ran as hard as I could.> <“I would study very hard if I had a governess.” — Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted>
2
: in a forceful way <The wind blew hard.>
3
: with pain, bitterness, or resentment <She took the defeat hard.>
Medical Dictionary
hard
adjective \ˈhärd\
Medical Definition of HARD
1
: not easily penetrated : not easily yielding to pressure
2
a of liquor : strongly alcoholic; specifically : having an alcoholic content of more than 22.5 percent b : characterized by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium) that prevent lathering with soap <hard water>
3
: of or relating to radiation of relatively high penetrating power <hard X-rays>
4
a : physically fit <in good hard condition> b : resistant to stress (as disease)
5
: being at once addictive and gravely detrimental to health <such hard drugs as heroin>
6
: resistant to biodegradation <hard detergents> <hard pesticides like DDT>
—hard·ness noun
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