Having the quality of flexibility without brittleness; yielding to force without breaking; capable of resisting great strain; as, the ligaments of animals are remarkably tough.
Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; -- of objects and people; as, tough sinews.
A body made of brass, the crone demands, . . .
Tough to the last, and with no toil to tire.
The basis of his character was caution combined with tough tenacity of purpose.
Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as, tough phlegm.
Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, a tough bow.
So tough a frame she could not bend.
Severe; violent; as, a tough storm. [Colloq.]
Difficult to do, perform, or accomplish; as, a tough job.
Prone to aggressive or violent behavior; rowdyish; -- of people, or groups; as, a tough neighborhood; a tough character.
Phrases & Compounds
To make it tough
to make it a matter of difficulty; to make it a hard matter.
tough
n.
A person who is tough{7}; a ruffian; a thug; as, a cluster of neighborhood toughs hanging out on the corner.