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strong

adjective \ˈstrȯŋ\

: having great physical power and ability : having a lot of strength

: not easy to break or damage

: not sick or injured

stron·ger \ˈstrȯŋ-gər also -ər\ stron·gest \ˈstrȯŋ-gəst also -əst\

Full Definition of STRONG

: having or marked by great physical power

: having moral or intellectual power

: having great resources (as of wealth or talent)

: of a specified number <an army ten thousand strong>

a : striking or superior of its kind <a strong resemblance>

b : effective or efficient especially in a specified direction <strong on watching other people work — A. Alvarez>

: forceful, cogent <strong evidence> <strong talk>

: not mild or weak : extreme, intense: as

a : rich in some active agent <strong beer>

b of a color : high in chroma

c : ionizing freely in solution <strong acids and bases>

d : magnifying by refracting greatly <a strong lens>

obsolete : flagrant

: moving with rapidity or force <a strong wind>

: ardent, zealous <a strong supporter>

a : not easily injured or disturbed : solid

b : not easily subdued or taken <a strong fort>

: well established : firm <strong beliefs>

: not easily upset or nauseated <a strong stomach>

: having an offensive or intense odor or flavor : rank <strong breath>

: tending to steady or higher prices <a strong market>

: of, relating to, or being a verb that is inflected by a change in the root vowel (as strive, strove, striven) rather than by regular affixation

— strong adverb

— strong·ish \ˈstrȯŋ-ish\ adjective

— strong·ly \ˈstrȯŋ-lē\ adverb

See strong defined for English-language learners

See strong defined for kids

Origin of STRONG

Middle English, from Old English strang; akin to Old High German strengi strong, Latin stringere to bind tight — more at strain

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to STRONG

Synonyms: brawny, muscular, rugged, sinewy, stalwart, stout

Antonyms: delicate, feeble, frail, weak, weakling, wimpy

Synonym Discussion of STRONG

strong, stout, sturdy, stalwart, tough, tenacious mean showing power to resist or to endure. strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources <strong arms> <the defense has a strong case>. stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way <stout hiking boots>. sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction <a sturdy table> <people of sturdy independence>. stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability <stalwart environmentalists>. tough implies great firmness and resiliency <a tough political opponent>. tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together <tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life>.

Rhymes with STRONG

bong, dong, gong, long, prong, song, thong, throng, tong, wrong

STRONG Defined for Kids

strong

adjective \ˈstrȯŋ\

stron·ger \ˈstrȯŋ-gər\stron·gest \ˈstrȯŋ-gəst\

Definition of STRONG for Kids

: having great power in the muscles

: healthy 1 <She's young and strong.>

: not easy to injure, overcome, or resist : solid <a strong bridge> <a strong opponent> <a strong urge>

: enthusiastic, zealous <a strong supporter>

: moving with speed and force <a strong wind>

: having much of some quality : intense <strong coffee> <strong light>

: having a great deal of power <a strong nation>

: of a specified number <an army 10,000 strong>

: persuasive <strong arguments>

: well established : firm <strong beliefs> <strong traditions>

: having a powerful action or effect <strong medicine> <strong discipline>

: very noticeable <a strong resemblance>

— strong·ly \ˈstrȯŋ-lē\ adverb

Synonym Discussion of STRONG

strong, sturdy, and tough mean showing the power to endure opposing force. strong is used of great physical or material power. <A strong person with a strong rope is needed to lift that.> sturdy is used for the ability to endure pressure or hard use. <The table is old but sturdy.> tough means that something is very firm and able to stay together. <Tough fabric lasts for years.>