sturdy
1 Americanadjective
-
sturdier,
comparative
-
sturdiest
superlative
-
strongly built; stalwart; robust.
sturdy young athletes.
- Antonyms:
- weak
-
strong, as in substance, construction, or texture.
sturdy walls.
-
firm; courageous; indomitable.
the sturdy defenders of the Alamo.
- Synonyms:
- unconquerable, determined, vigorous, resolute
-
of strong or hardy growth, as a plant.
noun
adjective
-
healthy, strong, and vigorous
-
strongly built; stalwart
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
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.
Vocabulary lists containing sturdy
The Cay
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Beowulf vocabulary
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Vigorous Vocab: Synonyms for "Strong"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Miso, honey and red-pepper flakes deepen the mixture; pasta water turns it glossy enough to tuck itself into the tubes and folds of a sturdy short pasta.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
They were also made to be more sturdy, so that children could play with them.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
“These are levels indicative of a sturdy labor market,” economists Robert Kavcic and Shelly Kaushik of BMO Capital Markets wrote.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026
Valero VLO 0.82%increase; up pointing triangle Energy said its earnings surged in the second quarter, thanks to sturdy fuel demand.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
For a century, Centralia was a sturdy little pit community.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
Baidoo suggests a more supportive flip-flop, such as a FitFlop, which is sturdier and contoured - a world away from the flat and thin flip-flops that have been cut from a big sheet of foam.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
That’s what expanding breadth looks like, as a bull market supported by several sectors is much sturdier than one balanced on a tower of parabolic semiconductor stocks.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
The simulations showed that Jupiter acted as a stronger barrier for larger and sturdier particles than for smaller dust grains.
From Science Daily ● May 26, 2026
In his village, a few kilometres from Kone's, the houses look sturdier.
From Barron's ● Jan. 26, 2026
Using tarps to make tents and extra shade, we set up a sturdier camp beside the wagon.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Identifying the sturdiest pairing is another decision that could prove pivotal as England and Tuchel aim for a strong start to their campaign.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
Of the many “Star Wars” offshoots, this seems to be the sturdiest.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
The Bottom Line: Airline stocks are infamously volatile; if you’re going to take a flier, go for the sturdiest.
From Barron's ● Apr. 12, 2026
The sturdiest defense in the league has allowed just 22 goals in 29 games, the club’s attack has outscored 18 other teams this season.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 1, 2026
Star shot to the top to join the others picking seedpods while I made my way steadily up, trying to find the sturdiest branches to support me.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
