hard
♦♦♦ hard /h'ɑːrd/ (harder hardest)
1 [ADJ]
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.
≠ soft
● hardness [N-UNCOUNT] oft with poss
He felt the hardness of the iron railing press against his spine.
2 [ADJ] oft it v-link ADJ to-inf, ADJ to-inf
Something that is hard is very difficult to do or deal with.
It's hard to tell what effect this latest move will have...
Our traveller's behaviour on the journey is hard to explain...
That's a very hard question.
= difficult
≠ easy
3 [ADV] ADV after v
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?
[ADJ] ADJ n
Hard is also an adjective.
I admired him as a true scientist and hard worker.
4 [ADJ]
Hard work involves a lot of activity and effort.
Coping with three babies is very hard work...
Their work is hard and unglamorous, and most people would find it boring.
5 [ADV] ADV after v
If you look, listen, or think hard, you do it carefully and with a great deal of attention.
You had to listen hard to hear the old man breathe...
[ADJ] usu ADJ n
Hard is also an adjective.
It might be worth taking a long hard look at your frustrations and resentments.
6 [ADV] ADV after v
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.
[ADJ] ADJ n
Hard is also an adjective.
He gave her a hard push which toppled her backwards into an armchair.
7 [ADV] ADV after v
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 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If a person or their expression is hard, they show no kindness or sympathy.
His father was a hard man...
≠ gentle
9 [ADJ] v-link ADJ on n
If you are hard on someone, you treat them severely or unkindly.
Don't be so hard on him.
≠ soft
[ADV] ADV after v
Hard is also an adverb.
He said the security forces would continue to crack down hard on the protestors.
10 [ADJ] v-link ADJ on n
If you say that something is hard on a person or thing, you mean it affects them in a way that is likely to cause them damage or suffering.
The grey light was hard on the eyes...
These last four years have been hard on them.
11 [ADJ]
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.
= tough
● hardness [N-UNCOUNT] N of n
In America, people don't normally admit to the hardness of life.
12 [ADJ] ADJ n
Hard evidence or facts are definitely true and do not need to be questioned.
There are probably fewer hard facts about the life of Henry Purcell than that of any other great composer since the Renaissance.
13 [ADJ]
Hard water contains a lot of calcium compounds that stop soap making bubbles and sometimes appear as a deposit in kettles and baths.
≠ soft
14 [ADJ] ADJ n
Hard drugs are very strong illegal drugs such as heroin or cocaine.
≠ soft
15 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you feel hard done by, you feel that you have not been treated fairly. (BRIT)
The hall porter was feeling hard done by at having to extend his shift.
16 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If you say that something is hard going, you mean it is difficult and requires a lot of effort.
The talks had been hard going at the start.
17 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
To be hard hit by something means to be affected very severely by it.
California's been particularly hard hit by the recession.
18 [PHRASE] V inflects
If someone plays hard to get, they pretend not to be interested in another person or in what someone is trying to persuade them to do.
I wanted her and she was playing hard to get.
19 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR to-inf
If someone is hard put to do something or, in British English if they are hard pushed to do something, they have great difficulty doing it.
Mr Morton is undoubtedly cleverer than Mr Kirkby, but he will be hard put to match his popularity.
20 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you take something hard, you are very upset or depressed by it.
Maybe I just took it too hard.hard and fast
[ADJ] usu with brd-neg, usu ADJ n
If you say that there are no hard and fast rules, or that there is no hard and fast information about something, you are indicating that there are no fixed or definite rules or facts.
There are no hard and fast rules, but rather traditional guidelines as to who pays for what...
= definitehard cash
[N-UNCOUNT]
Hard cash is money in the form of notes and coins as opposed to a cheque or a credit card.hard ci|der
[N-UNCOUNT]
Hard cider is an alcoholic drink that is made from apples. (AM; in BRIT, use cider)hard copy (hard copies)
[N-VAR]
A hard copy of a document is a printed version of it, rather than a version that is stored on a computer.
...eight pages of hard copy.hard core
[N-UNCOUNT]
Hard core consists of pieces of broken stone that are used as a base on which to build roads. (mainly BRIT)hard cur|ren|cy (hard currencies)
[N-VAR]
A hard currency is one which is unlikely to lose its value and so is considered to be a good one to have or to invest in.
The government is running short of hard currency to pay for imports.hard disk (hard disks)
[N-COUNT]
A computer's hard disk is a stiff magnetic disk on which data and programs can be stored.hard hat (hard hats)
[N-COUNT]
A hard hat is a hat made from a hard material, which people wear to protect their heads on building sites or in factories, or when riding a horse.hard la|bour
in AM, use hard labor
[N-UNCOUNT]
Hard labour is hard physical work which people have to do as punishment for a crime.
The sentence of the court was twelve years' hard labour, to be served in a British prison.hard left
also hard-left
[N-SING] the N, oft N n
You use hard left to describe those members of a left wing political group or party who have the most extreme political beliefs. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use far left)
...the hard-left view that foreign forces should not have been sent.hard luck
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
If you say that someone had some hard luck, or that a situation was hard luck on them, you mean that something bad happened to them and you are implying that it was not their fault. (INFORMAL)
We had a bit of hard luck this season...
= bad luck
2 [N-UNCOUNT] poss N
If someone says that a bad situation affecting you is just your hard luck, they do not care about it or think you should be helped, often because they think it is your fault. (INFORMAL)
The shop assistants didn't really want to discuss the matter, saying it was just my hard luck.
= tough luck
3 [CONVENTION]
You can say `hard luck' to someone to show that you are sorry they have not got or done something that they had wanted to get or do. (INFORMAL)
Hard luck, chaps, but don't despair too much.
= tough luckhard of hear|ing
[ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
Someone who is hard of hearing is not able to hear properly.hard porn
[N-UNCOUNT]
Hard porn is pornography that shows sex in a very detailed way, or shows very violent or unpleasant sex.hard right
also hard-right
[N-SING] the N, oft N n
You use hard right to describe those members of a right wing political group or party who have the most extreme political beliefs. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use far right)
...the appearance of hard-right political groupings.hard sell
[N-SING] oft N n
A hard sell is a method of selling in which the salesperson puts a lot of pressure on someone to make them buy something.
...a double-glazing firm whose hard-sell techniques were exposed by a consumer programme.hard shoul|der (hard shoulders)
[N-COUNT] usu the N in sing
The hard shoulder is the area at the side of a motorway or other road where you are allowed to stop if your car breaks down. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use shoulder)hard up
also hard-up
[ADJ]
If you are hard up, you have very little money. (INFORMAL)
Her parents were very hard up.
≠ well-off
1 [ADJ]
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.
≠ soft
● hardness [N-UNCOUNT] oft with poss
He felt the hardness of the iron railing press against his spine.
2 [ADJ] oft it v-link ADJ to-inf, ADJ to-inf
Something that is hard is very difficult to do or deal with.
It's hard to tell what effect this latest move will have...
Our traveller's behaviour on the journey is hard to explain...
That's a very hard question.
= difficult
≠ easy
3 [ADV] ADV after v
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?
[ADJ] ADJ n
Hard is also an adjective.
I admired him as a true scientist and hard worker.
4 [ADJ]
Hard work involves a lot of activity and effort.
Coping with three babies is very hard work...
Their work is hard and unglamorous, and most people would find it boring.
5 [ADV] ADV after v
If you look, listen, or think hard, you do it carefully and with a great deal of attention.
You had to listen hard to hear the old man breathe...
[ADJ] usu ADJ n
Hard is also an adjective.
It might be worth taking a long hard look at your frustrations and resentments.
6 [ADV] ADV after v
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.
[ADJ] ADJ n
Hard is also an adjective.
He gave her a hard push which toppled her backwards into an armchair.
7 [ADV] ADV after v
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 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If a person or their expression is hard, they show no kindness or sympathy.
His father was a hard man...
≠ gentle
9 [ADJ] v-link ADJ on n
If you are hard on someone, you treat them severely or unkindly.
Don't be so hard on him.
≠ soft
[ADV] ADV after v
Hard is also an adverb.
He said the security forces would continue to crack down hard on the protestors.
10 [ADJ] v-link ADJ on n
If you say that something is hard on a person or thing, you mean it affects them in a way that is likely to cause them damage or suffering.
The grey light was hard on the eyes...
These last four years have been hard on them.
11 [ADJ]
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.
= tough
● hardness [N-UNCOUNT] N of n
In America, people don't normally admit to the hardness of life.
12 [ADJ] ADJ n
Hard evidence or facts are definitely true and do not need to be questioned.
There are probably fewer hard facts about the life of Henry Purcell than that of any other great composer since the Renaissance.
13 [ADJ]
Hard water contains a lot of calcium compounds that stop soap making bubbles and sometimes appear as a deposit in kettles and baths.
≠ soft
14 [ADJ] ADJ n
Hard drugs are very strong illegal drugs such as heroin or cocaine.
≠ soft
15 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you feel hard done by, you feel that you have not been treated fairly. (BRIT)
The hall porter was feeling hard done by at having to extend his shift.
16 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If you say that something is hard going, you mean it is difficult and requires a lot of effort.
The talks had been hard going at the start.
17 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
To be hard hit by something means to be affected very severely by it.
California's been particularly hard hit by the recession.
18 [PHRASE] V inflects
If someone plays hard to get, they pretend not to be interested in another person or in what someone is trying to persuade them to do.
I wanted her and she was playing hard to get.
19 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR to-inf
If someone is hard put to do something or, in British English if they are hard pushed to do something, they have great difficulty doing it.
Mr Morton is undoubtedly cleverer than Mr Kirkby, but he will be hard put to match his popularity.
20 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you take something hard, you are very upset or depressed by it.
Maybe I just took it too hard.hard and fast
[ADJ] usu with brd-neg, usu ADJ n
If you say that there are no hard and fast rules, or that there is no hard and fast information about something, you are indicating that there are no fixed or definite rules or facts.
There are no hard and fast rules, but rather traditional guidelines as to who pays for what...
= definitehard cash
[N-UNCOUNT]
Hard cash is money in the form of notes and coins as opposed to a cheque or a credit card.hard ci|der
[N-UNCOUNT]
Hard cider is an alcoholic drink that is made from apples. (AM; in BRIT, use cider)hard copy (hard copies)
[N-VAR]
A hard copy of a document is a printed version of it, rather than a version that is stored on a computer.
...eight pages of hard copy.hard core
[N-UNCOUNT]
Hard core consists of pieces of broken stone that are used as a base on which to build roads. (mainly BRIT)hard cur|ren|cy (hard currencies)
[N-VAR]
A hard currency is one which is unlikely to lose its value and so is considered to be a good one to have or to invest in.
The government is running short of hard currency to pay for imports.hard disk (hard disks)
[N-COUNT]
A computer's hard disk is a stiff magnetic disk on which data and programs can be stored.hard hat (hard hats)
[N-COUNT]
A hard hat is a hat made from a hard material, which people wear to protect their heads on building sites or in factories, or when riding a horse.hard la|bour
in AM, use hard labor
[N-UNCOUNT]
Hard labour is hard physical work which people have to do as punishment for a crime.
The sentence of the court was twelve years' hard labour, to be served in a British prison.hard left
also hard-left
[N-SING] the N, oft N n
You use hard left to describe those members of a left wing political group or party who have the most extreme political beliefs. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use far left)
...the hard-left view that foreign forces should not have been sent.hard luck
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
If you say that someone had some hard luck, or that a situation was hard luck on them, you mean that something bad happened to them and you are implying that it was not their fault. (INFORMAL)
We had a bit of hard luck this season...
= bad luck
2 [N-UNCOUNT] poss N
If someone says that a bad situation affecting you is just your hard luck, they do not care about it or think you should be helped, often because they think it is your fault. (INFORMAL)
The shop assistants didn't really want to discuss the matter, saying it was just my hard luck.
= tough luck
3 [CONVENTION]
You can say `hard luck' to someone to show that you are sorry they have not got or done something that they had wanted to get or do. (INFORMAL)
Hard luck, chaps, but don't despair too much.
= tough luckhard of hear|ing
[ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
Someone who is hard of hearing is not able to hear properly.hard porn
[N-UNCOUNT]
Hard porn is pornography that shows sex in a very detailed way, or shows very violent or unpleasant sex.hard right
also hard-right
[N-SING] the N, oft N n
You use hard right to describe those members of a right wing political group or party who have the most extreme political beliefs. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use far right)
...the appearance of hard-right political groupings.hard sell
[N-SING] oft N n
A hard sell is a method of selling in which the salesperson puts a lot of pressure on someone to make them buy something.
...a double-glazing firm whose hard-sell techniques were exposed by a consumer programme.hard shoul|der (hard shoulders)
[N-COUNT] usu the N in sing
The hard shoulder is the area at the side of a motorway or other road where you are allowed to stop if your car breaks down. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use shoulder)hard up
also hard-up
[ADJ]
If you are hard up, you have very little money. (INFORMAL)
Her parents were very hard up.
≠ well-off