hardy
hardy
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for hardy is /ˈhɑr.di/.
har (/hɑr/): The first syllable starts with the /h/ sound as in "hat," followed by the /ɑr/ sound as in "car."
dy (/di/): The second syllable has the /d/ sound as in "dog," followed by the long "e" sound, /i/, as in "happy."
Word Form Variations
Adjective: hardy
Comparative: hardier
Superlative: hardiest
Adverb: hardily
Noun: hardiness
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
(Of a person or animal) Possessing the physical strength and resilience to withstand difficult conditions, fatigue, or hardship.
Synonyms: robust, tough, rugged, resilient, sturdy
Antonyms: frail, delicate, weak, fragile, sensitive
(Of a plant) Able to survive outdoors through adverse weather conditions, especially the cold of winter, without special protection.
Synonyms: resilient, robust, frost-resistant, durable
Antonyms: tender, delicate, sensitive
Characterized by boldness, courage, or audacity.
Synonyms: daring, bold, audacious, brave
Antonyms: timid, fearful, cowardly
Examples of Use
Here are several real-world examples of the word hardy in use.
In Literature
In J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy world, Hobbits are frequently characterized by their surprising resilience, combining a love of comfort with an underlying toughness.
"But this hobbit was a very different sort of person. He was a Baggins, but a Took on his mother's side, and the Tooks were a queer, rich, and respected family. They were, it is said, a hardy race." (From The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien)
In News and Publications
The term is extremely common in gardening and horticulture journalism to describe plants that can withstand harsh climates, particularly cold.
"For a beautiful, low-maintenance garden, choose hardy perennials that can survive the winter and return each spring. Plants like peonies, hostas, and daylilies are excellent options for beginner gardeners in colder zones." (The Old Farmer's Almanac)
In Entertainment
In the survival competition series Alone, contestants are selected for their physical and mental fortitude, essential traits for enduring long periods in harsh, isolated wilderness.
A narrator or contestant might say something like: "Only the most hardy individuals have a chance of outlasting the others. It takes more than skill; it takes a deep reserve of physical and mental strength to survive out here."
In General Discourse
In everyday conversation, people often use the word to admire resilience in people or animals, especially children who seem to shake off illnesses or injuries quickly.
"My youngest never gets sick, even when all the other kids at school have the flu. He's a really hardy little guy."
10 Famous Quotes Using Hardy
Hence we can see why the inhabitants of a mountainous country are often hardy and stunted. (Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species)
For they are a hardy race, and shrewder than they look. (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings)
The Scotch heather is a low, spreading, purple-flowered shrub, a very beautiful and hardy plant. (John Muir, The Story of My Boyhood and Youth)
For Adam, though you see him so quiet and shy, is a very hardy fellow. (George Eliot, Adam Bede)
The common field-mouse is a very hardy little animal, and a most prolific breeder. (Pliny the Elder, The Natural History)
I am of every hue and trade and rank... a pensive man, a face of wrinkles and smiles, a man of grace, a hardy man. (Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass)
Many of the finest hardy flowers are neglected in our gardens because they are not brilliant in colour. (William Robinson, The English Flower Garden)
The gardener's work is never at an end; it begins with the year and continues to the next... from the first peep of the hardy snowdrop to the last lingering rose. (Hugh Johnson, The Principles of Gardening)
True character is not forged in comfort, but revealed in adversity, proving the spirit to be either fragile or hardy.
It required a hardy people to tame the frontier, driven by a spirit as rugged as the land itself.
Etymology
At its heart, the word hardy comes from the familiar word hard. Think of it as meaning "characterized by being hard" or "full of hardness."
However, the word didn't grow directly from the English word "hard." Instead, it took a detour through France. Here’s how it happened:
An ancient Germanic word meaning "to make hard" was adopted into Old French as the verb hardir.
The past tense of this French verb was hardi, which came to mean "hardened," and by extension, "bold, brave, or daring." The idea was that a courageous person was "hardened" against fear.
After the Norman Conquest in 1066, this French word hardi was brought into the English language.
The first known use of hardy in English was around the year 1200. At that time, its meaning was almost identical to the French definition: bold and courageous.
Over the centuries, the meaning gradually expanded. The concept of being "hardened" against fear grew to include being hardened against other challenges—like physical labor, sickness, or harsh weather. This is how we arrived at the modern primary meaning of hardy: tough, robust, and able to endure difficult conditions.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hardy
Phrases Using "Hardy"
A hardy soul: Refers to a brave, resilient, or adventurous person who endures difficult conditions without complaint.
Hale and hardy: A less common variation of "hale and hearty," meaning to be in robust, excellent health.
Hardy as a mountain goat: A simile describing someone or something that is incredibly tough, resilient, and well-suited to harsh environments. 🐐
A hardy perennial: A common gardening term for a plant that can survive winter and regrow for many years; it's also used metaphorically for something that reappears consistently over time.
Of a hardy constitution: A more formal way to say someone is naturally strong and resistant to illness.
Idioms with a Similar Meaning
Tough as nails: To be extremely strong, stubborn, or resilient, either physically or mentally.
Strong as an ox: To have great physical strength.
Weather the storm: To survive a period of great difficulty or danger.
Thick-skinned: To be unaffected by criticism or insults; emotionally hardy.
Built to last: Describes something that is made so well it can endure a great deal of use or stress. 💪
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hardy from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
