hard core

noun

variants or hardcore

ˈhärd-ˌkȯr 

plural hard cores or hardcores

1

: a central or fundamental and usually enduring group or part: such as

a

: a relatively small and usually enduring core of society marked by apparent resistance to change or inability to escape a persistent condition (such as poverty or chronic unemployment)

b

: the most devoted and active members of a group

… the hard core of the Unionist Party …

—J. B. Firth

2

usually hardcore chiefly British : hard material in pieces (such as broken bricks or stone) used as a bottom layer or fill (as in making roads and in foundations)

3

usually hardcore or hardcore punk : a subgenre of punk rock marked usually by intense speed and loud volume

For most of the people who loved hardcore, the music was inseparable from the scene that created it, and from the turbulent shows that brought participants together.

—Kelefa Sanneh

—often used before another noun

… '80s hardcore bands like the Adolescents and Vandals …

—Lorraine Ali

Examples of hard core in a Sentence

He knows that he can count on the support of a hard core of party loyalists.

Recent Examples on the Web

Poetry offers peaceful interludes infusing feelings of calm with soft edges rather than hard core instructional lessons. —Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026

To the hardest of that hard core, this isn’t going to do it. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026

The fourth generation relaunch maintains the 600 meter depth rating, but the redesign gives it more of a chic sports vibe than hard core dive watch. —Carol Besler, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2025

Nate Bargatze is ready to go hard core on Emmy Sunday in an attempt to keep winners’ speeches to 45 seconds or less. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for hard core

• corrie
• corry
• cory
• dory
• flory
• glory
• gory
• hoary
• horry
• kauri
• lori
• lorry

Kids Definition

hard core

noun

1

: an unchanging and lasting central part

2

: a small number of aggressive members of a group

hard-core adjective