not easily penetrated or yielding to pressure; firm
said of a person: physically fit and able to cope with stress; showing no weakness
said of money: metal as distinct from paper
said of currency, share prices, etc: high and stable in value
said of money or credit: available to borrowers in limited supply and at high interest rates
firmly and closely twisted
hard yarns
demanding or using much energy or stamina
hard work
a hard worker
oppressive or exacting
a hard taskmaster
harsh or severe
said some hard things
a hard winter
forceful or violent
hard blows
bitter or resentful
hard feelings
lacking consideration or compassion
a hard heart
difficult to endure
hard times
not speculative or conjectural; factual
hard evidence
close or searching
taking a long hard look
said of a problem or question: difficult to understand, explain, or answer
said of iron: difficult to magnetize or demagnetize
firm or definite
a hard agreement
said of a drink: containing a high percentage of alcohol
said of water: containing salts of calcium, magnesium, etc that inhibit lathering with soap
said of a chemical, e.g. a pesticide or detergent: breaking down only slowly; = persistent (I)
said of a drug: addictive and harmful
said of pornography: explicit; hard-core
denoting radiation of relatively high penetrating power
sharply defined or contrasted
a hard outline
said of sounds: harsh or jarring
a hard quality to the voice
not used technically, said of c and g: pronounced
having no finer feelings; totally without compassion
of work: tedious or arduous
an expression of sympathy or condolence; hard luck (see luck)
rather deaf
inequitably harsh in respect of (a certain person or group)
to learn from one's own mistakes and suffering
no offence taken
NZ, informal to ask (somebody) a favour