sturdy

¹

[stur-dee]

adjective

sturdier, sturdiest 

1. strongly built; stalwart; robust.

   sturdy young athletes.

   Synonyms: powerful, strong, stout, sinewy, brawny, muscular, hardy
   Antonyms: weak

2. strong, as in substance, construction, or texture.

   sturdy walls.

3. firm; courageous; indomitable.

   the sturdy defenders of the Alamo.

   Synonyms: unconquerable, determined, vigorous, resolute

4. of strong or hardy growth, as a plant.

sturdy

²

[stur-dee]

noun

Veterinary Pathology.

1. gid.

sturdy

¹

/ ˈstɜːdɪ /

adjective

1. healthy, strong, and vigorous

2. strongly built; stalwart

sturdy

²

/ ˈstɜːdɪ /

noun

1. vet science another name for staggers gid

Other Word Forms

• sturdily adverb
• sturdiness noun
• unsturdily adverb
• unsturdiness noun
• sturdied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sturdy¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English stourdi, from Old French estourdi “dazed, reckless, stunned, violent,” past participle of estourdir “to daze, stun,” of disputed origin; perhaps ultimately from Latin ex- ex- ¹ ( def. ) + a verb derivative of torpidus “numb,” turbus “disturbed,” or turdus “thrush”

Origin of sturdy²

First recorded in 1560–70; noun use of sturdy ¹ in obsolete sense “giddy”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sturdy¹

C13 (in the sense: rash, harsh): from Old French estordi dazed, from estordir to stun, perhaps ultimately related to Latin turdus a thrush (taken as representing drunkenness)

Origin of sturdy²

C17: from _sturdy ¹ (in the obsolete sense: giddy)

Example Sentences

The structure is exposed, and sturdy materials are well put together, not just designed to look that way.

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Its version of Emilia Harcourt is a sturdy Aryan girl who only wears jewel tones and skirts and is infatuated with Chris.

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Canned crescent dough, improbably, was just right: pliable without tearing, sturdy without getting tough, and still capable of a respectable rise.

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Served in a pretty bowl with sturdy chips, it wins people over every time.

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In his and Ferrera’s sturdy presence and in the serrated frenzy of Greengrass’ editing style, a shorter, tighter “The Lost Bus” would still hold plenty of dread and dramatic resilience.

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Related Words

• bulky 
• hearty 
• hulking 
• muscular 
• powerful 
• robust 
• rugged 
• stiff 
• stout 
• strapping 
• strong