hard
UK: hɑːd | US: hɑːrd
adj. 1. solid, firm, and resistant to pressure
adj. 2. requiring great effort or endurance
adj. 3. harsh or severe in manner or circumstances
adv. 1. with great effort or force
adv. 2. so as to be solid or firm
The word "hard" originates from Old English "heard," meaning "solid, firm, unyielding," which itself derives from Proto-Germanic *hardu-. This root is shared across Germanic languages (e.g., German "hart," Dutch "hard") and traces back to the Proto-Indo-European *kort-ús, meaning "strong, powerful." Over time, "hard" expanded semantically to describe physical toughness, emotional sternness, and challenging tasks—retaining its core idea of resistance or difficulty.
The ground was too hard to dig without proper tools.
She worked hard to achieve her goals.
His hard expression revealed no emotion.
The bread became hard after sitting out overnight.
He hit the ball hard during the game.