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

One of the better crime thrillers of the year, it was—along with “Boots,” “Task,” “Landman” and “Death by Lightning”—the kind of sturdy American stuff that didn’t insult one’s intelligence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This produced sturdy hydrogel microspheres that travel through the digestive tract and can be removed from stool with a magnet.

Read more on Science Daily

These plants are bred to be sturdy, so take a deep breath and choose this year’s poinsettias with an adventurous heart.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Pack a waterproof coat, hat, gloves, sturdy boots and a blanket to keep you warm in case you do get stuck or have to leave your car.

Read more on BBC

At the milliner’s shop, she chose a bonnet to match the dress, and at the shoemaker’s, a pair of sturdy oxfords that would do nicely for the fall weather.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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