Word
fortitude
Phoneticsfor·ti·tude, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɔɹtɪˌtud/
UK/fˈɔːtɪtjˌuːd/
Definitions
01mental strength
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the mental strength that helps you deal with pain or difficult situations without complaining.
n. mental and emotional resilience that allows one to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage.
“She showed great fortitude throughout her long illness, never losing her positive spirit.”
“The refugees demonstrated remarkable moral fortitude as they navigated the bureaucratic hurdles of the resettlement process while grieving their lost homes.”
Usage
Usually uncountable when referring to the abstract quality of character.
Synonyms
02physical strength
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic
n. an old-fashioned way to describe having a strong, powerful body.
n. physical strength or power. This sense is largely obsolete in modern prose, having been supplanted by the psychological sense.
“The old stories praised the knight for his physical fortitude in battle.”
“In the archaic text, the hero was described as possessing the fortitude of a giant, capable of lifting stones that three men could not budge.”
Teaching tip
Modern speakers almost exclusively use fortitude to mean mental strength; using it for physical muscle will sound very old-fashioned.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“If anyone wondered about Fernández’s mental fortitude, the remainder of his time on the pitch was proof of what he offers at City.” “The 2026 World Cup was a whirling swirl of scintillating soccer that prompted much-needed conversations about the vitality of diaspora, the fortitude of the underdog, the power of sport.” Etymology
From Middle English fortitude, from Old French, from Latin fortitūdō (“bravery, strength”), from fortis (“brave, strong”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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