hardy

adjective

har·​dy ˈhär-dē 

hardier; hardiest

1

: bold, brave

a hardy intrepid spirit

2

: audacious, brazen

3

a

: accustomed to dealing with fatigue or hardships : robust

The soldiers were strong and hardy.

b

: capable of withstanding adverse conditions

hardy outdoor furniture

hardy plants

hardy cattle

hardily

ˈhär-dᵊl-ē 

adverb

hardiness

ˈhär-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• cast-iron
• hard
• hard-bitten
• hardened
• inured
• rugged
• stout
• strong
• sturdy
• tough
• toughened
• vigorous

Examples of hardy in a Sentence

Most of the soldiers were hardy young men.

Hardy fans stuck with the team through good times and bad.

Only the hardiest pilgrims made the journey.

Recent Examples on the Web

Given that avocado trees are hardy only in USDA Zones 9 to 11, many of us grow them in containers and bring them indoors for the winter. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2025

This tender perennial is hardy in zones 9 and up, and treated as an annual elsewhere. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025

In winter months, hardy fishermen hunker down to ice fish at all three locations and 400-acre Lake Logan is where locals head to ice skate. —Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 24 Feb. 2025

Amazon's Fire tablets are hardy slates that excel at the basics. —Karl Klockars, PCMAG, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hardi, from Anglo-French, from Old French *hardir to make hard, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English heard hard

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hardy

• half-hardy

Rhymes for hardy

• hardie
• lardy
• pardy
• tardy
• foolhardy
• sephardi

Kids Definition

hardy

adjective

har·​dy ˈhärd-ē 

hardier; hardiest

1

: bold sense 1a, brave

2

: able to stand fatigue or hardships : robust

3

: able to survive unfavorable conditions (as of weather)

a hardy rose bush

hardily

ˈhärd-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

hardiness

ˈhärd-ē-nəs 

noun

Biographical Definition

Hardy 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Har·​dy ˈhär-dē 

Oliver 1892–1957 originally Norvell Hardy American comic actor

Hardy

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Thomas 1840–1928 English novelist and poet

Hardyesque

ˌhär-dē-ˈesk 

adjective