hardy

adjective

har·​dy ˈhär-dē 

hardier; hardiest

1

: bold, brave

a hardy intrepid spirit

2

: audacious, brazen

3

a

: accustomed to dealing with fatigue or hardships : robust

The soldiers were strong and hardy.

b

: capable of withstanding adverse conditions

hardy outdoor furniture

hardy plants

hardy cattle

hardily

ˈhär-dᵊl-ē 

adverb

hardiness

ˈhär-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• cast-iron
• hard
• hard-bitten
• hardened
• inured
• rugged
• stout
• strong
• sturdy
• tough
• toughened
• vigorous

Example Sentences

Most of the soldiers were hardy young men.

Hardy fans stuck with the team through good times and bad.

Only the hardiest pilgrims made the journey.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another species that thrives in spring’s early, colder months is the hardy primrose. —Kate Mcgregor, ELLE Decor, 20 Jan. 2023

Much further north, Dalziel and Dion-Côté study a hardy fish that successfully clones itself for generations. —Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2023

Another classic style with a cult-favorite following, these hardy rubber rain boots are meant to last a lifetime. —Maverick Li, Men's Health, 19 Jan. 2023

Amid much fanfare, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly returned from space nearly seven years ago, landing on a barren, frozen steppe of Kazakhstan inside a hardy little Soyuz spacecraft. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 18 Jan. 2023

The boat is tournament-ready for the hardy few who opt for a center console over a more traditional sportfisherman but also has the creature comforts for a group of friends or family who want to throw out some lines on a weekend cruise. —Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2023

Seek out seasonal hardy cabbage and escarole or endive, as well as beets and other root vegetables. —Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Jan. 2023

But that’s hardy enough to warrant a drop from the No. 1 spot. —oregonlive, 10 Jan. 2023

Generations of hardy seafarers form its backbone, supplemented by seasoned traders and straight-talking businesspeople, all looking to maximize profits and sniff out others’ weaknesses. —WIRED, 5 Jan. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English hardi, from Anglo-French, from Old French *hardir to make hard, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English heard hard

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hardy

• half-hardy

• half-hardy

Kids Definition

hardy

har·​dy ˈhärd-ē 

adjective hardier; hardiest

1

: bold sense 1a, brave

2

: able to stand fatigue or hardships : robust

3

: able to survive unfavorable conditions (as of weather)

a hardy rose bush

hardily

ˈhärd-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

hardiness

ˈhärd-ē-nəs 

noun

Biographical Definition

Hardy 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Har·​dy ˈhär-dē 

Oliver 1892–1957 originally Norvell Hardy American comic actor

Hardy

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Thomas 1840–1928 English novelist and poet

Hardyesque

ˌhär-dē-ˈesk 

adjective