Tough
adjective
Difficult to cut, break, or chew.
The steak was tough and chewy.
Often appears as...
- tough meat
- tough steak
adjective
Showing a lot of determination and can handle difficult situations.
She is a tough negotiator.
Often appears as...
- tough negotiator
- tough competitor
adjective
Harsh or severe.
He had a tough upbringing.
Often appears as...
- tough upbringing
- tough justice
adjective
Hardship or difficulties.
They have been through some tough times.
Often appears as...
- tough times
- tough period
verb
To endure or deal with a difficult situation.
He had to tough it out through the storm.
Often appears as...
- tough it out
- tough it through
Usage tips
Colloquial
adjective
Difficult to cut, break, or chew.
The steak was tough and chewy.
Often appears as...
- tough meat
- tough steak
adjective
Showing a lot of determination and can handle difficult situations.
She is a tough negotiator.
Often appears as...
- tough negotiator
- tough competitor
adjective
Harsh or severe.
He had a tough upbringing.
Often appears as...
- tough upbringing
- tough justice
adjective
Hardship or difficulties.
They have been through some tough times.
Often appears as...
- tough times
- tough period
verb
To endure or deal with a difficult situation.
He had to tough it out through the storm.
Often appears as...
- tough it out
- tough it through
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/2Texture Description
Use 'tough' to describe food that requires more effort to eat.
This bread is too tough to chew.
Pro Tip 2/2Not Always Negative
'Tough' can be factual, not just a complaint about food quality.
This jerky is supposed to be tough.
Pro Tip 1/2Texture Description
Use 'tough' to describe food that requires more effort to eat.
This bread is too tough to chew.
Pro Tip 2/2Not Always Negative
'Tough' can be factual, not just a complaint about food quality.
This jerky is supposed to be tough.
Pro Tip 1/2Texture Description
Use 'tough' to describe food that requires more effort to eat.
This bread is too tough to chew.
Pro Tip 2/2Not Always Negative
'Tough' can be factual, not just a complaint about food quality.
This jerky is supposed to be tough.
Never forget "Tough"
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Video examples
Handraising Twin Tiger...
This little chap was the first one born. He was the one that, for the first couple of hours, we were a little worried about. He had a bit of a tougher time. Didn't you? You're doing well. He's nearly the same weight as his brother now. Despite their good health, life for young tigers is precarious.
Video examples
Adorable Tiger Cub...
couple of hours we were a little worried about he had a bit of a tougher time didn't you you're doing well he's nearly the same weight as his brother now despite their good health life for young tigers is precarious globally over a third of captive-born sumatran cubs won't make it to adulthood
Video examples
The evolution of the...
that controls the amount of light entering the eye, a tough white outer layer, known as the sclera, to maintain its structure, and tear glands that secrete a protective film. But equally important was the accompanying evolution of the brain, with its expansion of the visual cortex
Video examples
How to spot a liar PIPE...
when someone else agrees to believe the lie. So I know it may sound like tough love, but look, if at some point you got lied to, it's because you agreed to get lied to. Truth number one about Lying's a cooperative act. Now not all lies are harmful.
Video examples
The amazing ways plants...
Plants' defenses start at their surface. The bark covering tree trunks is full of lignin, a rigid web of compounds that's tough to chew and highly impermeable to pathogens. Leaves are protected by a waxy cuticle that deters insects and microbes.
Video examples
Hair-Raising Hyena...
didn't realize it was quite that tough on them i kind of feel sorry for them it's hard to believe a helpless newborn cub outranks even the oldest male in the clan with a ranking system like this finding a mate can't be easy for the males
Video examples
ONE HOUR Of Amazing...
of their reserves in western australia these dolphins have taken on an even tougher challenge the fish have taken refuge close to the beach where the water is only a few centimeters deep
Video examples
Meet This Family of...
Wrestling with each other encourages the youngsters, especially the males, to be tough and test their strength but also to learn how to control it.
Video examples
What forgiveness can...
tough life and I knew that my future prospect depends only on a place I was raised
Video examples
Rocket Science PIPE...
as life tough
Video examples
Handraising Twin Tiger...
This little chap was the first one born. He was the one that, for the first couple of hours, we were a little worried about. He had a bit of a tougher time. Didn't you? You're doing well. He's nearly the same weight as his brother now. Despite their good health, life for young tigers is precarious.
Video examples
Adorable Tiger Cub...
couple of hours we were a little worried about he had a bit of a tougher time didn't you you're doing well he's nearly the same weight as his brother now despite their good health life for young tigers is precarious globally over a third of captive-born sumatran cubs won't make it to adulthood
Video examples
The evolution of the...
that controls the amount of light entering the eye, a tough white outer layer, known as the sclera, to maintain its structure, and tear glands that secrete a protective film. But equally important was the accompanying evolution of the brain, with its expansion of the visual cortex
Video examples
How to spot a liar PIPE...
when someone else agrees to believe the lie. So I know it may sound like tough love, but look, if at some point you got lied to, it's because you agreed to get lied to. Truth number one about Lying's a cooperative act. Now not all lies are harmful.
Video examples
The amazing ways plants...
Plants' defenses start at their surface. The bark covering tree trunks is full of lignin, a rigid web of compounds that's tough to chew and highly impermeable to pathogens. Leaves are protected by a waxy cuticle that deters insects and microbes.
Video examples
Hair-Raising Hyena...
didn't realize it was quite that tough on them i kind of feel sorry for them it's hard to believe a helpless newborn cub outranks even the oldest male in the clan with a ranking system like this finding a mate can't be easy for the males
Video examples
ONE HOUR Of Amazing...
of their reserves in western australia these dolphins have taken on an even tougher challenge the fish have taken refuge close to the beach where the water is only a few centimeters deep
Video examples
Meet This Family of...
Wrestling with each other encourages the youngsters, especially the males, to be tough and test their strength but also to learn how to control it.
Video examples
What forgiveness can...
tough life and I knew that my future prospect depends only on a place I was raised
Video examples
Rocket Science PIPE...
as life tough
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Mark Lanegan
American Musician
Nobody likes to believe that they need anybody's help in anything, and the smarter you are - and I'm not smart - or the tougher you are - and at times I thought I was pretty tough - the more trouble you have.
Quote examples
Jack Welch
American Businessman
Strong managers who make tough decisions to cut jobs provide the only true job security in today's world. Weak managers are the problem. Weak managers destroy jobs.
Quote examples
Joel Osteen
American Clergyman
You're going to go through tough times - that's life. But I say, 'Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.' See the positive in negative events.
Quote examples
Henny Youngman
American Comedian
I played a lot of tough clubs in my time. Once a guy in one of those clubs wanted to bet me $10 that I was dead. I was afraid to bet.
Quote examples
Walt Disney
American Businessman
I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn't know how to get along without it.
Quote examples
Tyler Perry
American Actor
The key to life when it gets tough is to keep moving. Just keep moving.
Quote examples
Frank Bruno
British Athlete
Boxing is the toughest and loneliest sport in the world.
Quote examples
Jimmie Johnson
American Driver
The competition in today's world of racing is so tough.
Quote examples
Unknown
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
Quote examples
Joe Biden
American President
Life is a matter of really tough choices.
Quote examples
Mark Lanegan
American Musician
Nobody likes to believe that they need anybody's help in anything, and the smarter you are - and I'm not smart - or the tougher you are - and at times I thought I was pretty tough - the more trouble you have.
Quote examples
Jack Welch
American Businessman
Strong managers who make tough decisions to cut jobs provide the only true job security in today's world. Weak managers are the problem. Weak managers destroy jobs.
Quote examples
Joel Osteen
American Clergyman
You're going to go through tough times - that's life. But I say, 'Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.' See the positive in negative events.
Quote examples
Henny Youngman
American Comedian
I played a lot of tough clubs in my time. Once a guy in one of those clubs wanted to bet me $10 that I was dead. I was afraid to bet.
Quote examples
Walt Disney
American Businessman
I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn't know how to get along without it.
Quote examples
Tyler Perry
American Actor
The key to life when it gets tough is to keep moving. Just keep moving.
Quote examples
Frank Bruno
British Athlete
Boxing is the toughest and loneliest sport in the world.
Quote examples
Jimmie Johnson
American Driver
The competition in today's world of racing is so tough.
Quote examples
Unknown
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
Quote examples
Joe Biden
American President
Life is a matter of really tough choices.
Example 1 of 10
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