harder; hardest
1
: very firm or solid : not easy to bend, cut, etc. : not soft
hard ground
a hard bench/floor/shell
hard cheese/rubber
This bread is (as) hard as a rock. [=very hard]
2
: physically or mentally difficult : not easy
That test was hard.
a hard task
hard work
She was asked a lot of hard questions.
We're going to have to make some hard choices/decisions.
It's hard to solve this problem. = This is a hard problem (to solve). = This problem is hard (to solve).
He's a hard guy to figure out. = He's a guy who's hard to figure out. = It's hard to figure that guy out.
It was very hard to find a replacement for her.
Their story is hard to believe.
It's hard not to worry about her.
It's hard to tell/know what she's thinking.
He was sentenced to five years of hard labor. [=time in prison spent in intense physical labor]
3
a
: difficult to experience : severe or harsh
He has learned a hard lesson.
It's been a hard winter. [=a very cold winter with harsh weather]
: having a lot of pain, trouble, or worries
She has had a very hard life. = Life has been very hard for her.
I had a hard [=tough] day at the office.
We've been having some hard [=poor, bad] luck.
Note: Hard times are times when there is a lot of trouble, poverty, worry, or failure.
b
: having a harmful or destructive effect
His health has suffered from years of hard living.
This old bicycle has obviously gotten some hard use.
4
: working or doing something with a lot of energy
She's a hard [=diligent, energetic] worker.
5
: very forceful
The plane made a hard [=jarring] landing.
He hit a hard line drive past the shortstop.
A hard rain was falling.
He was knocked out by a hard right to the jaw.
: quick and forceful
hard acceleration
hard braking
a hard left turn
6
: done with a lot of careful thought and attention : thorough or intense
The jeweler gave the gem a long hard look. [=the jeweler looked at the gem very closely and carefully]
Investors are taking a very hard look at how the company does business.
7
: able to be clearly seen and measured : not able to be questioned or doubted
Those are the (cold) hard facts of the case.
She is still collecting hard data on the software's performance.
It's an interesting theory, but there is no hard evidence that supports it.
8
a
: not seeming to care about other people or to feel kindness or affection
He's a hard man.
a hard taskmaster
She has an extremely hard [=unfeeling] heart.
He's as hard as nails. [=he's very hard or tough]
b
: not gentle or friendly
hard [=harsh] words
9
: holding extreme political views
a member of the hard [=far, extreme] right/left
10
: relating to serious matters
They only report hard news.
11
a
: containing a large amount of alcohol
hard liquor
the hard stuff
b
: containing alcohol
hard cider/lemonade
12
: powerful and extremely harmful to the health
cocaine and other hard drugs
13
of water
: containing many minerals and therefore unable to make bubbles with soap
hard water
14
: having clear, sharp lines
trying to soften the hard edges of the image
15
: very bright and unpleasant
hard lighting
the cold, hard light of day
16
: sounding like the "c" in "cold" or the "g" in "geese"
The "g" in "gorilla" is hard, but the "g" in "giant" is soft.
the hard "c" in "cat"
17
informal
: physically strong
hard [=muscular] bodies
harder; hardest
1
: with a lot of effort or energy
You have to work hard in order to succeed.
I know how hard she tried.
She ran as hard as she could.
working/studying/fighting hard
We've thought long and hard about this problem.
Note: If you are hard at work (on something) you are doing work with a lot of effort and energy.
2
: in a very forceful way
He hit the ball hard.
a hard-hit ball
The ball hit him hard on the wrist.
He pressed his nose hard against the window.
swallowing hard
She pushed hard against the door, but it wouldn't open.
The wind was blowing hard.
The snow/rain came down hard.
The dog bit down hard on the thief's hand.
: in a loud and forceful way
She was breathing hard.
laughing/crying hard
Note: If you are hit hard or hard hit by something or if something hits you hard, it affects you powerfully in a very painful or shocking way.
Note: If you take something hard you are very upset or hurt by it.
3
a
: in a very direct and intense way
He looked hard into her eyes.
b
: in an extreme or complete way
He fell hard for the girl next door.
Cite this Entry
“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/hard. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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