hard-core

1 of 2

adjective

1
a
: of, relating to, or being part of a hard core
hard-core poverty
the hard-core unemployed
b
: confirmed, die-hard
hard-core rock fans
a hard-core liberal
2
of pornography : containing explicit descriptions of sex acts or scenes of actual sex acts compare soft-core
3
: characterized by or being the purest or most basic form of something : fundamental
a room gussied up in hard-core French provincial styleJohn Canaday

hard core

2 of 2

noun

1
: a central or fundamental and usually enduring group or part: such as
a
: a relatively small enduring core of society marked by apparent resistance to change or inability to escape a persistent wretched condition (such as poverty or chronic unemployment)
b
: a militant or fiercely loyal faction
2
usually hardcore chiefly British : hard material in pieces (such as broken bricks or stone) used as a bottom (as in making roads and in foundations)

Examples of hard-core in a Sentence

Noun He knows that he can count on the support of a hard core of party loyalists.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But in recent years, that relationship has, to some extent, broken down, because some of the hard-core faith groups have become, in some ways, apolitical. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2023 More than a week into the trial, the prosecution’s case doesn’t appear to be driven by the kind of bombshell revelations that might sway hard-core Paxton supporters. Morgan O'Hanlon, The New Republic, 14 Sep. 2023 Welcome to Shangri-la for the hard-core adventurer—especially one who still appreciates all the high-touch comforts of a luxury resort. Josh Condon, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2023 From the view out the windshield to its cacophony of wild engine sounds to its butt-kicking performance, the MC20 is made for hard-core enthusiast drivers with the money to indulge themselves in a car with overwhelming character. Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 6 Sep. 2023 That’s a problem because the most hard-core racers are tempted to speed up and take their chances. Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023 But that also means that AMG’s version is—on paper, at least—less of a hard-core sports car than the outgoing model. Angus MacKenzie, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2023 Palazzo Fiuggi has an array of spa programs, but what caught my eye was a seven-day intensive in partnership with the Ranch, the famed Malibu, California, health center known for its hard-core approach. Rachael McKeon, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2023 Read full article When the frost begins to fade, hard-core outdoor bathers turn on the water to begin the season. Beth Treffeisen, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2023
Noun
Steelers: Knowledgeable, hard core and travels everywhere with the team. Mike Freeman, USA TODAY, 27 June 2023 Tical 2000 is state-of-the-art East Coast hardcore, with dirty beats and creepy sonics by the likes of Mobb Deep’s Havoc, Erick Sermon, and Wu visionary RZA. Chris Norris, SPIN, 27 June 2023 The band formed in 2009, and have been evolving their brand of caustic but deeply fun hardcore through a series of lineup changes. Zhenzhen Yu, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2023 What used to be the clinic’s waiting room now has a small stage where punk and hardcore bands come to play. Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 23 June 2023 Since then, even as so much else has happened, that hard core hasn’t shifted. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2023 Brittany and Tyler first started dating in 2018 after crushing hardcore on each other from a distance. Korin Miller, Women's Health, 10 June 2023 Geoff, lyrically, was really influenced by DC hardcore bands – obviously Fugazi, also stuff like Q and Not U, a lot of bands that had like a deeper, more intelligent message. Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 6 June 2023 During Chisel’s initial run, that frantic, frenzied approach was a natural fit for a band that had its roots in hardcore: Leo and Dugan had spent the late ’80s in Citizens Arrest and Indian Summer, respectively. Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 10 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hard-core.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard-core was in 1841

Dictionary Entries Near hard-core

Cite this Entry

“Hard-core.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-core. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

hard core

noun
1
: an unchanging and lasting central part
2
: a small number of aggressive members of a group
hard-core adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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