definitions

hardy

1
[ hahr-dee ]
/ ˈhɑr di /
||

adjective, har·di·er, har·di·est.

capable of enduring fatigue, hardship, exposure, etc.; sturdy; strong: hardy explorers of northern Canada.
(of plants) able to withstand the cold of winter in the open air.
requiring great physical courage, vigor, or endurance: the hardiest sports.
bold or daring; courageous: hardy soldiers.
unduly bold; presumptuous; foolhardy.

RELATED WORDS

sound, firm, fit, solid, well, hale, stout, stalwart, able, able-bodied, brawny, burly, capable, enduring, fresh, hardened, healthy, hearty, hefty, indefatigable

Nearby words

hardwick, elizabeth, hardwired, hardwiring, hardwood, hardworking, hardy, hardy ageratum, hardy, thomas, hardy-rand-ritter test, hardy-weinberg law, hare

Origin of hardy

1
1175–1225; Middle English hardi < Old French, past participle of *hardir to harden, make brave < Germanic; compare Gothic -hardjan, Old High German hartjan to harden
SYNONYMS FOR hardy
1 vigorous, robust, hale, stout, sound.
4 intrepid, resolute, brave.
ANTONYMS FOR hardy
1 weak.
4 timid.
Can be confusedhardy hearty
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hardier

British Dictionary definitions for hardier (1 of 3)

hardy

1
/ (ˈhɑːdɪ) /

adjective -dier or -diest

having or demanding a tough constitution; robust
bold; courageous
foolhardy; rash
(of plants) able to live out of doors throughout the winter

Word Origin for hardy

C13: from Old French hardi bold, past participle of hardir to become bold, of Germanic origin; compare Old English hierdan to harden 1, Old Norse hertha, Old High German herten

British Dictionary definitions for hardier (2 of 3)

hardy

2
/ (ˈhɑːdɪ) /

noun plural -dies

any blacksmith's tool made with a square shank so that it can be lodged in a square hole in an anvil

Word Origin for hardy

C19: probably from hard

British Dictionary definitions for hardier (3 of 3)

Hardy

/ (ˈhɑːdɪ) /

noun

Oliver. See Laurel and Hardy
Thomas. 1840–1928, British novelist and poet. Most of his novels are set in his native Dorset (part of his fictional Wessex) and include Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), The Return of the Native (1878), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891), and Jude the Obscure (1895), after which his work consisted chiefly of verse
Sir Thomas Masterman. 1769–1839, British naval officer, flag captain under Nelson (1799–1805): 1st Sea Lord (1830)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for hardier

hardy

adj.

c.1200, "bold, daring, fearless," from Old French hardi, from past participle of hardir "to harden, be or make bold," from Frankish *hardjan, from Proto-Germanic *hardjan "to make hard" (cf. Old Frisian herda, Old High German herten, Old Norse herða, Gothic gahardjan "make hard;" see hard). Sense influenced by English hard. Related: Hardily; hardiness. Hardhede "physical hardiness" is attested from early 15c.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper