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tough

1 tough /ˈtʌf/ adjective
tougher; toughest
1 tough
/ˈtʌf/
adjective
tougher; toughest
Britannica Dictionary definition of TOUGH
: very difficult to do or deal with
often followed by to + verb
: physically and emotionally strong : able to do hard work, to deal with harsh conditions, etc.
: physically strong and violent
: strong and not easily broken or damaged
: very strict
: having a lot of crime or danger
: hard to influence or persuade
informal : unfortunate in a way that seems unfair often used in an ironic way to show that you do not feel sympathy for someone
see also tough luck at 1luck

(as) tough as nails

see 1nail

(as) tough as old boots

British, informal
: very tough

a tough act to follow

see follow

a tough nut (to crack)

see nut

a tough row to hoe

see 1row

hang tough

see 1hang

— toughly

adverb

— toughness

noun [noncount]
2 tough /ˈtʌf/ verb
toughs; toughed; toughing
2 tough
/ˈtʌf/
verb
toughs; toughed; toughing
Britannica Dictionary definition of TOUGH

tough it out

informal
: to deal with a difficult situation by being determined and refusing to quit
3 tough /ˈtʌf/ noun
plural toughs
3 tough
/ˈtʌf/
noun
plural toughs
Britannica Dictionary definition of TOUGH
[count] informal + old-fashioned
4 tough /ˈtʌf/ adverb
4 tough
/ˈtʌf/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of TOUGH
: in a way that shows that you are strong or tough