hard

/ˈhärd/

Middle English, from Old English heard; akin to Old High German hart hard, Greek kratos strength

adjective

  1. not easily penetrated : not easily yielding to pressure

  2. not capable of being spread : very, firm

  3. having a bitter or acidic taste

hard surfaces

hard difficult arduous mean demanding great exertion or effort. hard implies the opposite of all that is easy. difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill or courage.

adverb

  1. with great or utmost effort or energy : strenuously

  2. in a violent manner : fiercely

  3. to the full extent —usually used in nautical directions

were hard at work

hit the ball hard

adjective

  1. not to be modified or evaded : strict

a hard-and-fast rule