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tough
/tʌf/
physically strong or difficult
The steak was so tough that I couldn't chew it.
The meat was too hard to eat comfortably.
general
physically strong or difficult to cut or chew
The leather jacket is tough enough to protect you in a crash.
The jacket is durable and resistant to damage.
Commonly used to describe materials, food, or physical resilience.
general
difficult to deal with or endure
The exam was really tough this year.
The exam was very challenging.
Often used for tasks, situations, or challenges.
general
strong and determined in character
She’s a tough competitor in the business world.
She is resilient and persistent.
Describes someone with a strong personality or mindset.
general
strict or uncompromising
The teacher is tough on grading but fair.
The teacher enforces high standards.
Often used for authority figures like teachers or bosses.
informal
in poor health or condition
He looks a bit tough after his illness.
He appears weak or unwell.
Less common but used in casual speech.
Collocations
tough decisiona difficult choicetough luckunfortunate situationtough cookiea strong-willed persontough act to followsomething hard to surpass
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'though'
'Though' is a conjunction meaning 'however', while 'tough' describes difficulty or strength. Example: 'It was tough, though I managed it.'
Gold Rule
Use 'tough' for resilience
When describing someone's ability to endure hardship, use 'tough' (e.g., 'She’s tough after losing her job').
Use 'tough' for difficulty
For challenges or hard tasks, 'tough' fits naturally (e.g., 'The climb was tough').
Word Origin
From Middle English 'tough', from Old English 'tōh', meaning 'stiff' or 'tenacious'. Related to Old Norse 'tough' and Dutch 'taai'.
Usage Notes
Can be used literally (physical toughness) or figuratively (emotional/mental toughness). Often paired with 'going' in informal contexts (e.g., 'It's gonna be tough going').
Word Breakdown
tough
strong or difficult
rootEnglish Dictionary