tough

Tough is an English word used chiefly as an adjective and in common fixed phrases. As an adjective it describes something that is strong, hard, or durable, such as a tough fabric or a tough metal; it also describes people or situations marked by grit or resilience, such as a tough worker or a tough decision. In another sense, it means difficult to endure, solve, or accomplish, for example a tough problem, a tough exam, or a tough day.

Noun usage is less common but may refer to a person who is hard or formidable, such as 'a tough' or the phrase 'a tough guy' in informal speech. The term can convey aggression or determination depending on context. A 'tough' person is not necessarily unpleasant; it can denote resolve in adverse circumstances.

Pronunciation and spelling: tough is pronounced /tʌf/. The spelling 'ough' in English has many pronunciations, and tough represents one of the fewer common ones; other divergent pronunciations include though, through, thought, and rough.

Common collocations and idioms include tough as nails, tough luck, tough call, tough crowd, tough cookie, and tough love. These expressions reflect different shades of meaning from resilience to misfortune or difficult choices.

Synonyms include hard, durable, sturdy, and resilient; antonyms include easy and soft. Etymology traces back to Old English and Germanic roots, and the word is part of a broader family of 'ough' spellings in English that produce varied pronunciations.