- tough⇄adj. 1. bending without breaking.
Ex. Leather is tough; cardboard is not.
2. hard to cut, tear, or chew.
Ex. The steak was so tough I couldn't eat it.
3. stiff; sticky.
Ex. tough clay.
4. strong; hardy.
Ex. a - tough⇄adv. (Informal.) in a tough manner.
Ex. Premier Ross Thatcher, while he talks tough in private, is apparently willing to make at least a gesture (Toronto Globe and Mail). - tough⇄adv. toughly.
- tough⇄noun (U.S.) a rough person; rowdy.
Ex. A gang of toughs attacked the policeman. - tough⇄noun toughness.
- tough⇄tough, adjective, adverb, noun, verb.
- tough⇄v.t. Usually, tough (it) out, (U.S. Informal.) to resist or endure (pressure, hardship, or trouble); hold out without yielding.