solid, firm, and rigid; not easily broken, bent, or pierced, requiring a great deal of endurance or effort; difficult to do or accomplish, difficult to understand or comprehend; complicated

a hard nut to crack, die hard, play hard to get

hard work, hard feelings, hard times

Formal and Informal Expressions of hard

In different contexts, you can replace 'hard' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'difficult, challenging' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'tough, rough' is a commonplace synonym.

hard: Explore its Definition & Usage

hard Definition

1solid, firm, and rigid; not easily broken, bent, or pierced
2requiring a great deal of endurance or effort; difficult to do or accomplish
3difficult to understand or comprehend; complicated

Using hard: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hard" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The table is made of hard wood.
Example
Running a marathon is a hard task.
Example
The math problem was too hard for me to solve.

hard Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for hard

Antonyms for hard

Idioms Using hard

a hard nut to crack
a problem or situation that is very difficult to solve or understand
Example
The new software program is a hard nut to crack, even for experienced programmers.
die hard
to be very difficult to change or get rid of, especially a habit or belief
Example
Even though he quit smoking years ago, the desire to smoke still dies hard.
play hard to get
to act uninterested in someone's romantic advances in order to make oneself more desirable
Example
She's been playing hard to get with him for weeks, but he's still interested.

Phrases with hard

hard work
a great deal of effort or endurance put into a task or job
Example
His success was due to his hard work and dedication.
hard feelings
resentment or anger towards someone due to a past disagreement or conflict
Example
There were hard feelings between the two coworkers after the argument.
hard times
a period of difficulty or hardship, often related to financial struggles
Example
During the Great Depression, many families experienced hard times.

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Summary: hard in Brief

The adjective 'hard' [hɑːrd] describes something that is solid, firm, and rigid, or something that requires a great deal of effort or endurance. It can also refer to something that is difficult to understand or comprehend. Examples include 'The table is made of hard wood,' 'Running a marathon is a hard task,' and 'The math problem was too hard for me to solve.' Phrases like 'hard work' and idioms like 'a hard nut to crack' extend the concept of difficulty.