sturdy

¹ American  

[stur-dee] / ˈstɜr di /

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.

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sturdy ² American  

[stur-dee] / ˈstɜr di /

noun

Veterinary Pathology.

1. gid.

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sturdy ¹ British  

/ ˈstɜːdɪ /

adjective

1. healthy, strong, and vigorous

2. strongly built; stalwart

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sturdy ² British  

/ ˈstɜːdɪ /

noun

1. vet science another name for staggers gid

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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”

Explanation

Describe something that is firmly constructed or strongly made as sturdy. That house you built was not sturdy at all. It blew down in the last wind storm. Fortunately, it was only a dog house and the dog wasn't in it. Physical strength and robust health can also be described as sturdy. Your grandmother is pushing 80, but she is still pretty sturdy if she can beat you at tennis. The adjective sturdy can also describe something (or someone) determined, firm, stalwart, and steady. Hopefully, you and your siblings have a sturdy relationship, so you can withstand all the bickering over who gets to ride shotgun in the car.

Example Sentences

Cal McMau’s feature directorial debut hardly reinvents the formula, but it does remind audiences what remains so sturdy about the premise of an ordinary man trying to stay alive behind bars.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

One might call it a way to celebrate the legacy of the first film, but that movie’s substantial legacy looks far less sturdy when it’s commodified and resold.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026

There remains, though, a distinct line of regional cowboy music and spoken-word poetry that has proved sturdy and continuingly meaningful to people out West, in particular.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

In the unlikely event the deal is delayed, Janus would pay its shareholders a $1 dividend each quarter, keeping the return profile sturdy.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

There was no hope of escape: he was surrounded by Oslak and four sturdy Raven men.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

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