An Encylopedia Britannica Company

hard

1 hard /ˈhɑɚd/ adjective
harder; hardest
1 hard
/ˈhɑɚd/
adjective
harder; hardest
Britannica Dictionary definition of HARD
: very firm or solid : not easy to bend, cut, etc. : not soft
opposite soft
: physically or mentally difficult : not easy
: difficult to experience : severe or harsh
: having a lot of pain, trouble, or worries
Hard times are times when there is a lot of trouble, poverty, worry, or failure.
: having a harmful or destructive effect
: working or doing something with a lot of energy
: very forceful
: quick and forceful
: done with a lot of careful thought and attention : thorough or intense
: able to be clearly seen and measured : not able to be questioned or doubted
: not seeming to care about other people or to feel kindness or affection
opposite soft
: holding extreme political views
10 
: relating to serious matters opposite soft
11 
: containing a large amount of alcohol
12 
: powerful and extremely harmful to the health opposite soft
13 
of water : containing many minerals and therefore unable to make bubbles with soap opposite soft
14 
: having clear, sharp lines
15 
: very bright and unpleasant
16 
: sounding like the “c” in “cold” or the “g” in “geese”
opposite soft
17 
informal : physically strong

a hard act to follow

see follow

a hard nut (to crack)

see nut

a hard row to hoe

see 1row

between a rock and a hard place

see 2rock

drive a hard bargain

see 1bargain

give (someone) a hard time

: to criticize or annoy someone

hard feelings

◊ If you have hard feelings, you feel dislike or anger toward someone who you think has mistreated you.
◊ The phrase no hard feelings is used in speech to say that you are not upset or to ask if someone else is upset.

hard knocks

see 2knock

hard of hearing

: not able to hear well

hard on

: causing damage or strain to (something)
: causing stress or worry to (someone)
: treating or judging (someone) in a harsh or critical way

hard up

informal
: having not enough of something + for

have a hard time

◊ If you have a hard time doing something or with something, it is difficult for you.

play hard to get

see 1play

the hard way

: in a way that involves difficult or painful experiences
2 hard /ˈhɑɚd/ adverb
harder; hardest
2 hard
/ˈhɑɚd/
adverb
harder; hardest
Britannica Dictionary definition of HARD
: with a lot of effort or energy
◊ If you are hard at work (on something) you are doing work with a lot of effort and energy.
: in a very forceful way
: in a loud and forceful way
◊ If you are hit hard or hard hit by something or if something hits you hard, it affects you powerfully in a very painful or shocking way.
◊ If you take something hard you are very upset or hurt by it.
: in a very direct and intense way
: in an extreme or complete way

die hard

see 1die

hard by

old-fashioned

hard done by

British
: treated harshly or unfairly

hard on the heels of

see 1heel