hard
hard
(hɑːʳd )Word forms: comparative harder , superlative hardest
1. adjective
Something that is hard is very firm and stiff to touch and is not easily bent, cut, or broken.
He shuffled his feet on the hard wooden floor.
Something cold and hard pressed into the back of his neck.
hardness uncountable noun [oft with poss]
He felt the hardness of the iron railing press against his spine. [+ of]
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE to-infinitive]
Something that is hard is very difficult to do or deal with.
It's hard to tell what effect this latest move will have.
She found it hard to accept some of the criticisms directed towards her and her work.
Our traveller's behaviour on the journey is hard to explain.
That's a very hard question.
3. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If you work hard doing something, you are very active or work intensely, with a lot of effort.
I'll work hard. I don't want to let him down.
Am I trying too hard?
Hard is also an adjective.
I admired him as a true scientist and hard worker.
4. adjective
Hard work involves a lot of activity and effort.
Coping with three babies is very hard work.
...a hard day's work.
Their work is hard and unglamorous, and most people would find it boring.
5. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If you look, listen, or think hard, you do it carefully and with a great deal of attention.
He looked at me hard.
You had to listen hard to hear the old man breathe.
People are having to think hard about their holiday plans.
Hard is also an adjective.
It might be worth taking a long hard look at your frustrations and resentments.
6. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If you strike or take hold of something hard, you strike or take hold of it with a lot of force.
I kicked a dustbin very hard and broke my toe.
Hard is also an adjective.
He gave her a hard push which toppled her backwards into an armchair.
7. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
You can use hard to indicate that something happens intensely and for a long time.
I've never seen Terry laugh so hard.
It was snowing hard by then.
8. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
9. adjective
If you are hard on someone, you treat them severely or unkindly.
Don't be so hard on him. [+ on]
Hard is also an adverb.
He said the security forces would continue to crack down hard on the protestors.
10. adjective
11. adjective
If you have a hard life or a hard period of time, your life or that period is difficult and unpleasant for you.
It had been a hard life for her.
Those were hard times.
hardness uncountable noun
In America, people don't normally admit to the hardness of life. [+ of]
12. graded adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
13. graded adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Hard colours or sounds are harsh or bright and unpleasant to see or hear.
The sea was a hard blue.
14. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Hard evidence or facts are definitely true and do not need to be questioned.
He wanted more hard evidence.
There are probably fewer hard facts about the life of Henry Purcell than that of any other great composer since the Renaissance.
15. adjective
16. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Hard drugs are very strong illegal drugs such as heroin or cocaine.
17. adjective
18.
19.
20.
21.
24.
