Hardy
/ˈhɑːrdi/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Hardy means being strong and able to survive tough situations or bad conditions. It is often used to describe plants, animals, or people who can live through cold, hunger, or hard work without giving up or getting sick.
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See It in Action
Able to survive difficult natural conditions (often about plants or animals)
- •These plants are hardy and can grow in very cold places.
- •The hardy sheep live well in mountain areas.
- •Hardy trees survive winter storms better than others.
Strong and tough in character or health (about people)
- •She is a hardy worker who never complains.
- •The soldiers were hardy and ready for any challenge.
- •He is hardy enough to work outside in the cold all day.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "hardy" like "strong," but with the idea of lasting through hard times, not just physical strength
- ✓Picture a small plant growing and staying green even in cold winter snow
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you see someone keep working even when it is very difficult or tiring
- ✓Sounds like "HARD-y" → imagine someone doing a hard job and still smiling, not giving up
- ✓Think of a story about explorers who survive cold mountains because they are hardy and tough
- ✓NOT like "weak" (easily hurt or tired), "hardy" means able to keep going even when things are difficult
- ✓NOT like "soft" or "fragile" which break or get sick easily
- ✓NOT just "strong" in muscles, but strong in health, spirit, and ability to survive
Try Other Words
- •Tough: able to deal with difficult situations (Use when talking about people or things that do not break or give up easily)
- •Resilient: able to recover quickly from difficulties (Use when focusing on coming back after problems)
- •Sturdy: strongly built and not easily broken (Use when describing physical strength or solid objects)
- •Robust: strong and healthy (Use when talking about health or systems working well under stress)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: no prefix or suffix; root word "hard" + ending "-y" (makes adjective)
- •Etymology: from Old English "heard" meaning strong or brave
- •Historical development: used since early English to describe strength and bravery, especially in tough conditions
- •Modern usage: describes plants, animals, and people able to survive or do well in difficult or tough environments
- •Key insight: more than just strong; it means lasting or surviving hard times without damage
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you had to be hardy to succeed or keep going?
•How do you think being hardy helps people or plants live better in difficult places?
Fill in the blanks
1.Hardy plants can survive ___ weather like cold winters or dry summers.
2.A hardy person does not give up even when the work is very ___ or tiring.
3.Unlike fragile flowers, hardy flowers ___ in tough environments.
4.When someone is described as hardy, it means they can handle ___ problems or challenges.
5.Hardy animals often live in places where food and water are ___ to find.
6.People who are hardy usually have ___ health and strong spirits.
7.Hardy trees can stand strong against ___ like wind and snow without falling.