Harsh
/hɑrʃ/
adjectiveB1
Definition
Harsh means something is very strong in a way that is not comfortable or kind. It can describe weather that is very cold or hot, people who are strict or unkind, or sounds that are loud and unpleasant. It often shows a tough or rough quality that can be hard to handle.
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See It in Action
Very severe or unpleasant in condition or effect
- •The desert has harsh weather with very hot days and cold nights.
- •Harsh sunlight made it difficult to see clearly.
- •They lived in harsh conditions without enough food or water.
Strict, severe, or unkind in behavior or speech
- •The teacher gave a harsh warning to the students.
- •His harsh words hurt her feelings.
- •The punishment was considered too harsh by many people.
Sharp or rough in sound or texture
- •The harsh noise from the construction site made it hard to concentrate.
- •Her voice sounded harsh after she caught a cold.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "harsh" like "hard," but more about being unpleasant or rough, not just difficult
- ✓Picture a cold wind blowing strongly and making your skin feel tight and uncomfortable
- ✓It's the feeling when a teacher speaks very strictly or when the sun feels too hot on your skin
- ✓Sounds like "harsh" → imagine a sharp sound like a scratchy noise that hurts your ears
- ✓Remember harsh winter days when everything feels cold and difficult
- ✓NOT like "soft" (gentle and pleasant), harsh is the opposite: rough and strong
- ✓NOT like "easy" (simple or gentle), harsh means tough or severe
- ✓NOT like "kind" (nice and gentle), harsh often means strict or unfriendly
Try Other Words
- •Severe: very strong or serious (Use when emphasizing seriousness or intensity)
- •Rough: not smooth, sometimes unpleasant (Use when focusing on texture or feeling)
- •Strict: following rules very exactly, often without kindness (Use when talking about behavior or rules)
- •Tough: strong and difficult to deal with (Use for general difficulty or strength)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No prefix or suffix; root word "harsh" is simple
- •Etymology: From Old English "hearsch," meaning rough or scabby (skin condition)
- •Historical development: Originally described rough or damaged skin, then extended to mean rough or severe in general
- •Modern usage: Used to describe anything unpleasantly strong, including weather, behavior, sounds, and conditions
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be harsh but still helpful or necessary? When might that happen?
•How do people react differently to harsh words versus harsh weather?
Fill in the blanks
1.The desert's harsh climate made it ___ for plants and animals to survive.
2.When the teacher was harsh, the students felt ___ and afraid to speak.
3.Harsh sounds often ___ people’s ears because they are too loud or rough.
4.Unlike gentle rain, harsh weather usually means ___ winds or heavy storms.
5.People say a punishment is harsh when it is ___ than what is fair or kind.
6.After shouting, his voice became harsh and ___ to listen to.
7.Harsh criticism can ___ someone’s confidence if not given carefully.