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

And it has experienced a sturdy pushback from judges.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

At a sturdy 100-minute runtime, “Hag” blows past pastiche at every turn, doing laps around the thriller genre’s conventions and tropes.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Occasionally, using foot pedals, his bold and sturdy basslines gave way to broadly vibrating masses of low-end sound.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 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

In walked a sturdy blond woman wearing khaki shorts and a green T-shirt with the animal shelter’s logo on it.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

Related Words

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