sturdy

/ˈstɝdi/
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Strong enough to resist damage or pressure, whether the strength is physical or comes from firm determination.

Examples

  • Their sturdy independence shaped every decision they made.
  • His argument was not sturdy enough to survive close questioning.
  • The bridge looked narrow but felt completely sturdy.
  • She packed a pair of sturdy walking shoes.
  • The old farming manual described the signs of sturdy.

Similar words

hardy
rugged
gid
firm
steadfast
strong
robust
staggers
resolute
unyielding

Meanings

Strong and solid

adjective
everyday
neutral
Strong, solid, or well built, so that a person, animal, plant, or object is not easily hurt, broken, or damaged.

Examples

  • The old chair is still sturdy enough for daily use.
  • Are these shelves sturdy enough to hold the books?
  • She packed a pair of sturdy walking shoes.
  • The young tree survived because its stem was sturdy.
  • The bridge looked narrow but felt completely sturdy.

Similar words

Firm and determined

adjective
social
literary
Firm and determined in belief, character, or action, especially when facing pressure or difficulty.

Examples

  • The committee mounted a sturdy defense of the proposal.
  • She remained sturdy in her support despite the criticism.
  • Their sturdy independence shaped every decision they made.
  • His argument was not sturdy enough to survive close questioning.
  • The movement grew through years of sturdy resistance.

Similar words

Parasitic animal disease

noun
veterinary medicine
technical
A disease of sheep and cattle caused by tapeworm larvae in the brain or spinal cord, also called gid or staggers.

Examples

  • The veterinarian suspected sturdy after the sheep began circling.
  • Modern parasite control has made sturdy less common in many flocks.
  • Can sturdy affect both sheep and cattle?
  • The old farming manual described the signs of sturdy.
  • The animal did not have sturdy, despite its loss of balance.

Similar words

Etymology

Recorded in English from around 1300, from Old French estordi, meaning stunned, violent, or reckless. The familiar senses of physical strength and solid construction developed during the following century.

FAQ

What does sturdy mean?

Sturdy usually means strong, solid, and unlikely to break or be hurt.

Can sturdy describe a person?

Yes. Sturdy can describe a physically strong person or, in literary use, someone firm and determined.

What are the forms of sturdy?

The comparative is sturdier and the superlative is sturdiest.

How is sturdy pronounced?

In General American English, sturdy is pronounced /ˈstɝdi/.

Where does sturdy come from?

Sturdy came through Old French from a word associated with being stunned, violent, or reckless, before developing its modern strength senses.

Can sturdy be a noun?

Yes, but only in rare veterinary use. The noun sturdy is another name for gid or staggers in sheep and cattle.

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