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

• sturdy
• strong
• rugged
• tough
• stout
• 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

Warm-weather plants, like peppers, should only be planted outdoors after your last frost date of spring, but cold-hardy crops, like brassicas, can be planted earlier. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025

These hardy perennials spread to form dense clumps over time. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025

Add life with flowers and greenery From bright marigolds to hardy mums, autumn flowers thrive in cooler weather and add bursts of color to your porch. —Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025

Other hardy fall choices include ornamental cabbage, kale, pansies, and snapdragons, black-eyed susans, coneflowers, Montauk daisies, and Japanese anemones. —Brendel Clark, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 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