[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/tough/)

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# tough

adjective (tough, tougher, toughest); noun (a tough — informal); verb (tough it out)

«tough» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Tough means strong and not easily broken, cut or damaged: «tough boots». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#m1)
2. Tough means hard to do or difficult: «a tough test». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#m2)
3. A tough person is strong in body or mind and can deal with pain or problems. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#m3)
4. Tough food (like meat) is hard to cut or chew. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#m4)
5. Tough means strict and firm: «tough rules». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#m5)
6. «Tough!» or «Tough luck» is said, rather rudely, to mean «too bad». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#m6)

### In the lessons

In school, «a tough question» or «a tough day» means hard. In science, «tough» materials resist breaking; scientists choose tough plastics for helmets. In stories a tough character is brave and does not give up. In PE, «tough it out» means keep going. Phrases: «tough luck», «a tough time», «tough it out», «get tough with».

### Examples

- These boots are tough enough for hiking. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#x1)
- The maths test was tough. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#x2)
- She is tough and never gives up. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#x3)
- This steak is too tough to chew. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#x4)
- We've had a tough week. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#x5)
- The new head is tough on bad behaviour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#x6)
- Being tough doesn't mean you can't cry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#x7)
- He tied the Mouse's leg to his own with a tough reed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/#x8)

### Note

Pronounced «tuff» (ough = «uff», as in «enough», «rough»). Comparative: tougher, toughest. Noun: toughness. Myth: tough people never cry or ask for help — asking for help is brave.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «tough» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tough/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«tough» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/tough.html) on Mova free.