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

Examples of hardy in a Sentence

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

The fisherman aesthetic, a modern and trendy take on nautical design, offers cool colors and hardy materials (like wood and stone) with an emphasis on creating cozy spots to lounge. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025

As usual, his Ethan Hunt is muscular, hardy, game for anything. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 May 2025

Lawn Maintenance Maintaining the lawn is key to reducing clover, a hardy and resilient plant, from cropping up and keeping the turf the right height. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 11 May 2025

But this year’s U.S. Agriculture Department cuts are imperiling a way of life even for the hardy. —Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for hardy

• hardie
• lardy
• pardy
• tardy
• foolhardy
• sephardi

Kids Definition

hardy

adjective

har·​dy ˈhärd-ē 

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