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Definition of tough
(Entry 1 of 4)
1 : difficult to accomplish, resolve, endure, or deal with
a tough question tough luck
2 : capable of enduring strain, hardship, or severe labor
tough soldiers
4a : strong or firm in texture but flexible and not brittle
b : not easily chewed
tough meat
5 : characterized by severity or uncompromising determination
tough laws tough discipline
6 : very hard to influence : stubborn a tough negotiator
7 : stubbornly fought
a tough contest
8 : marked by absence of softness or sentimentality
a tough critic
tough
adverbDefinition of tough (Entry 2 of 4)
: in a tough manner (see tough entry 1)
talking tough
tough
nounDefinition of tough (Entry 3 of 4)
: a tough and violent person : rowdy
tough
verbtoughed; toughing; toughs
Definition of tough (Entry 4 of 4)
: to bear unflinchingly : endure —usually used with out especially in the phrase tough it out
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Time Traveler for tough
The first known use of tough was before the 12th century
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