What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
toughish
Example
The exam was toughish, but I think I did okay. [toughish: adjective]
Example
The hike was toughish, but we made it to the top. [toughish: adjective]
Example
She's a toughish negotiator, but we managed to reach an agreement. [toughish: adjective]
tough
Example
The final exam was tough, and I barely passed. [tough: adjective]
Example
Running a marathon is tough, but it's a great accomplishment. [tough: adjective]
Example
He's a tough guy, having survived many hardships in his life. [tough: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tough is more commonly used than toughish in everyday language. Tough is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while toughish is less common and may be considered informal or colloquial.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between toughish and tough?
While toughish is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, tough can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.