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:
Just make sure you have a sturdy chair when taking video.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026
Novo recently signed a deal worth up to $1.4 billion with Orbis Medicines to develop peptide-like drugs sturdy enough to survive the trip through the stomach and into the bloodstream.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
For termites, it provides protective armor while also creating sturdy attachment points for muscles.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 19, 2026
“Demand is also excessive,” said Pelle, who believes the economy is sturdy enough to absorb higher rates.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026
Uncoiling Shadow’s climbing rope, he bound Ragear paw and claw to a sturdy oak.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
Scanlon would have everything from thin, shiny shellac to sturdier "Builder In A Bottle" gel manicures layered onto her nails every other week without fail.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026
I just want them a little drier, a little sturdier, with some browning around the edges.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026
Other species have long legs and live among moss, while some are sturdier frogs adapted to life on the ground.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026
Simple upgrades like replacing cheap doors with sturdier ones and switching out hinges can actually go a long way in enhancing a home’s appeal to future buyers.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026
Her so-called coach was sturdier than the boxcar, but the rushing air made the ride into a blustery ordeal.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
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
He’s the chief person round here, and the sturdiest.
From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
