Hard — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˈhärd/

Meaning & Definition of Hard

Hard (adjective)

  1. not easily penetrated, not easily yielding to pressure
  2. not capable of being spread, very firm
  3. having a bitter or acidic taste

Hard (adverb)

  1. with great or utmost effort or energy, strenuously
  2. in a forceful manner, fiercely
  3. to the full extent —usually used in nautical directions

Hard (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. requiring considerable physical or mental effort

    "clearing land is hard work"

    "a hard exam to pass"

  2. having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings

    "a hard man, who never had a kind word for anyone"

  3. able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure

    "they were forced to import sheep of a harder stock, one that could thrive in the harsh climate"

  4. based on sound reasoning or information

    "do you have any hard evidence that this was once the site of a Native American village?"

  5. difficult to endure

    "the hard life of a migrant farm worker"

    opposite: easy, light, soft
  6. extreme in degree, power, or effect

    "a carpet that withstood years of hard wear"

    opposite: light, moderate, soft
  7. given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint

    "a hard disciplinarian who is quick to punish the tiniest violation of the rules"

  8. having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure

    "hard candies"

    "fell on the hard floor and bruised her arm"

  9. having been established and usually not subject to change

    "there isn't always a hard line between right and wrong"

  10. having or showing deep-seated resentment

    "maintained hard feelings toward those who had cheated him"

    opposite: unbitter
  11. sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion

    "a woman with a hard will who never budged from her chosen path"

  12. restricted to or based on fact

    "that newscast is strictly devoted to hard news, as the producers prefer to leave the gossip to others"

Hard (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. with great effort or determination

    "we took a much-needed break after working hard all week"

    "a hard-won victory"

  2. with feelings of bitterness or grief

    "took the news of their grandfather's death hard"

  3. in a vigorous and forceful manner

    "hit the ball hard, causing it to soar out of bounds"

    "the wind blew hard all day"

    opposite: feebly, gently, softly, weakly
  4. at, within, or to a short distance or time

    "the groom stood hard by, ready to help, as the lady mounted the skittish horse"

  5. in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering

    "the dog had been treated hard by his previous owner"

Related Entry: Hard-and-fast (adjective)

Hard-and-fast is a different word from Hard. The synonyms below are for hard-and-fast, not for hard.

  1. having been established and usually not subject to change

    "hard-and-fast rules that governed the corporate environment in those days included strictures regarding office dress that were rigidly enforced"

  2. not capable of changing or being changed

    "hard-and-fast beliefs that are the rock-solid foundation of their religion"

Related Entry: Hard-bitten (adjective)

Hard-bitten is a different word from Hard. The synonyms below are for hard-bitten, not for hard.

  1. able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure

    "a hard-bitten Apache chief who could endure the scorching heat of the Arizona desert"

Related Entry: Hard-boiled (adjective)

Hard-boiled is a different word from Hard. The synonyms below are for hard-boiled, not for hard.

  1. having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings

    "a hard-boiled Puritan schoolmaster who was as unyielding as New England granite"

  2. having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment

    "made the hard-boiled business decision to downsize the company, thereby costing thousands of longtime employees their jobs"

    opposite: unknowing

Related Entry: Hard-core (adjective)

Hard-core is a different word from Hard. The synonyms below are for hard-core, not for hard.

  1. firmly established over time

    "the hard-core habits that generate our mountains of trash everyday will be extremely difficult to change"

Related Entry: Hard-driving (adjective)

Hard-driving is a different word from Hard. The synonyms below are for hard-driving, not for hard.

  1. having a strong desire for personal advancement

    "she's the most hard-driving malpractice lawyer I've ever seen"

Related Entry: Hard-eyed (adjective)

Hard-eyed is a different word from Hard. The synonyms below are for hard-eyed, not for hard.

  1. lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling

    "stared back at the prisoner with a hard-eyed glint"

Related Entry: Hard-hearted (adjective)

Hard-hearted is a different word from Hard. The synonyms below are for hard-hearted, not for hard.

  1. having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings

    "a hard-hearted brush-off to a homeless man asking for money"

Related Entry: Hard-line (adjective)

Hard-line is a different word from Hard. The synonyms below are for hard-line, not for hard.

  1. not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards

    "a hard-line approach to the sentencing of repeat offenders"

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hard

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hard:

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Hard

Words with the opposite meaning of Hard:

Near Antonyms of Hard

Word Forms of Hard

Inflections: harder, hardest

Origin & Etymology of Hard

Middle English, from Old English heard; akin to Old High German hart hard, Greek kratos strength

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Hard

Words & Phrases Containing Hard

Frequently Asked Questions about Hard

What does "Hard" mean?

"Hard" means not easily penetrated, not easily yielding to pressure. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: not easily penetrated, not easily yielding to pressure. It has 17 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Hard"?

Other words for "Hard" include arduous, Augean, backbreaking, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful and exacting. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hard" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hard"?

There are 673 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hard". Common alternatives include arduous, Augean, backbreaking, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting, formidable and grueling.

What is the opposite of "Hard"?

Antonyms of "Hard" include cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple and soft. Near antonyms include achievable, clear, doable and elementary.

How do you use "Hard" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hard" in a sentence: "clearing land is hard work"; "a hard exam to pass"; "a hard man, who never had a kind word for anyone".

Is "Hard" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hard" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

Is "Hard" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Hard" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Hard"?

"Hard" is pronounced /ˈhärd/.