hard

1 hard /ˈhɑɚd/ adjective
harder; hardest
1 hard
/ˈhɑɚd/
adjective
harder; hardest
Britannica Dictionary definition of HARD
1 
: very firm or solid : not easy to bend, cut, etc. : not soft
— opposite soft
2 
: physically or mentally difficult : not easy
3 
a  : difficult to experience : severe or harsh
: having a lot of pain, trouble, or worries
◊ Hard times are times when there is a lot of trouble, poverty, worry, or failure.
b  : having a harmful or destructive effect
4 
: working or doing something with a lot of energy
5 
: very forceful
: quick and forceful
6 
: done with a lot of careful thought and attention : thorough or intense
7 
: able to be clearly seen and measured : not able to be questioned or doubted
8 
a  : not seeming to care about other people or to feel kindness or affection
— opposite soft
9 
: holding extreme political views
10 
: relating to serious matters — opposite soft
11 
a  : containing a large amount of alcohol
12 
: powerful and extremely harmful to the health — opposite soft
13 
of water : containing many minerals and therefore unable to make bubbles with soap — opposite soft
14 
: having clear, sharp lines
15 
: very bright and unpleasant
16 
: sounding like the “c” in “cold” or the “g” in “geese”
— opposite soft
17 
informal : physically strong

a hard act to follow

— see follow

a hard nut (to crack)

— see nut

a hard row to hoe

— see 1row

between a rock and a hard place

— see 2rock

drive a hard bargain

— see 1bargain

give (someone) a hard time

: to criticize or annoy someone

hard feelings

1 
◊ If you have hard feelings, you feel dislike or anger toward someone who you think has mistreated you.
2 
◊ The phrase no hard feelings is used in speech to say that you are not upset or to ask if someone else is upset.

hard knocks

— see 2knock

hard of hearing

: not able to hear well

hard on

1 
a  : causing damage or strain to (something)
b  : causing stress or worry to (someone)
2 
: treating or judging (someone) in a harsh or critical way

hard up

informal
1 
2 
: having not enough of something — + for

have a hard time

◊ If you have a hard time doing something or with something, it is difficult for you.

play hard to get

— see 1play

the hard way

: in a way that involves difficult or painful experiences
2 hard /ˈhɑɚd/ adverb
harder; hardest
2 hard
/ˈhɑɚd/
adverb
harder; hardest
Britannica Dictionary definition of HARD
1 
: with a lot of effort or energy
◊ If you are hard at work (on something) you are doing work with a lot of effort and energy.
2 
: in a very forceful way
: in a loud and forceful way
◊ If you are hit hard or hard hit by something or if something hits you hard, it affects you powerfully in a very painful or shocking way.
◊ If you take something hard you are very upset or hurt by it.
3 
a  : in a very direct and intense way
b  : in an extreme or complete way

die hard

— see 1die

hard by

old-fashioned

hard done by

British
: treated harshly or unfairly

hard on the heels of

— see 1heel