sturdy

adjective

stur·​dy ˈstər-dē 

sturdier; sturdiest

1

a

: firmly built or constituted : stout

b

: hardy

sturdy plants

c

: sound in design or execution : substantial

2

a

: marked by or reflecting physical strength or vigor

b

: firm, resolute

c

: rugged, stable

sturdily

ˈstər-də-lē 

adverb

sturdiness

ˈstər-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of sturdy

• hardy
• strong
• rugged
• stout
• tough
• durable
• vigorous

Choose the Right Synonym for sturdy

strong, stout, sturdy, stalwart, tough, tenacious mean showing power to resist or to endure.

strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

strong arms

the defense has a strong case

stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table

people of sturdy independence

stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

a tough political opponent

tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

Examples of sturdy in a Sentence

a dog with a strong sturdy build

it took a sturdy person to endure the life of a pioneer

Recent Examples on the Web

DeLillo has written his share of sturdy female characters, but never in the first person, and never so willingly. — Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026

Suspended from those sturdy metallic bones is a set of double-wishbone suspension arms coupled with motorsport-grade KW Reiger dampers. — New Atlas, 11 Nov. 2026

The sturdy catcher was the middle man in one of the most accomplished three-generation Major League Baseball families. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

But otherwise, the carbon construction makes for a sturdier feel than the handle on my Tumi 19 Degree Aluminum roller, which costs three times as much. — Tim Stevens, The Verge, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, brave, stubborn, from Anglo-French esturdi stunned, from past participle of esturdir to stun, from Vulgar Latin *exturdire, from Latin ex- + Vulgar Latin *turdus simpleton, from Latin turdus thrush — more at thrush

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for sturdy

• birdie
• gurdy
• purdy
• thirty
• wordy

Kids Definition

sturdy

adjective

stur·​dy ˈstərd-ē 

sturdier; sturdiest

1

a

: firmly built or made

a sturdy ship

b

: strong and healthy in body : hardy, robust

2

: firm entry 1 sense 3, resolute

sturdy self-reliance

sturdily

ˈstərd-ᵊl-ē 

adjective

sturdiness

ˈstərd-ē-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

sturdy

noun

stur·​dy ˈstərd-ē 

plural sturdies

: gid