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hard

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adjective American English pronunciation: hard /hɑrd/ 
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adjectivehard
comparativeharder
superlativehardest
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    stiff, firm, and not easy to bend or break

    hard wooden benches

    The plastic was chosen because it is very hard and durable.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hard
  2. 2
    difficult to do

    Some of the questions were very hard.

    hard for someone to do something:

    It is hard for young people to get jobs in this area.

    hard to do something:

    It's hard to explain why I love this place so much.

    find something hard:

    I found the English test extremely hard.

    hard to believe:

    I find it hard to believe that we're leaving the South for good.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hard
    1. a.
      involving a great deal of effort

      Lifting stones this size is pretty hard work.

      I need to relax at the end of a hard day.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hard
  3. 3
    unpleasant and full of problems

    My grandmother had a very hard life.

    The family has had a hard time recently.

    hard on:

    It's very hard on parents when their children are rebellious.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hard
  4. 4
    strong and not easily frightened

    He likes to pretend he's hard, but he's really soft underneath.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hard
  5. 5
    unkind, or cruel

    She was deeply hurt by his hard words.

    hard on:

    Don't be too hard on her, she was only trying to help.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hard
  6. 6
    using a great deal of physical force

    He gave the door a hard shove, and it opened.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hard
  9. 9
    [only before noun] hard facts are certain and can be proved

    We need some hard evidence to support our claim.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hard

phrases

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This is the American English definition of hard. View British English definition of hard.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for hard.

 

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