ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hardcore

adj. · n. · adv.
US //ˈhɑɹdˈkɔɹ// UK //hˈɑːdkɔː// hard·core
  1. 1 extremely dedicated (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    showing a very strong and serious commitment to an activity or group.

    characterised by extreme dedication or unwavering commitment to a specific cause, activity, or subculture.

    Example

    He is a hardcore fan who travels to every single game his team plays.

    Example

    The hardcore supporters remained in the stands despite the torrential rain, chanting until the final whistle blew.
  2. 2 intense or difficult (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    very intense, tough, or demanding extreme effort.

    highly intense, rigorous, or demanding; often used to describe physical training or difficult environments.

    Example

    That mountain bike trail was pretty hardcore with all those steep drops.

    Example

    The special forces undergo a hardcore training regime designed to push their physical and mental endurance to the absolute limit.
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  1. 3 explicit or obscene (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    showing or describing sexual acts or violence in a very detailed and direct way.

    depicting sexual acts or violence in an explicit, graphic, or unmitigated manner.

    Example

    The movie was rated R because it contained some hardcore violence.

    Example

    The documentary was criticised for including hardcore footage of the conflict that many viewers found unnecessarily graphic.
  2. 4 music genre (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Music

    a style of music that is faster and louder than usual, like hardcore punk or techno.

    a subgenre of punk rock or electronic dance music characterised by faster tempos and higher intensity.

    Example

    She loves listening to hardcore when she needs a lot of energy at the gym.

    Example

    The club specialised in hardcore, attracting a niche audience that appreciated the aggressive percussion and rapid-fire BPM.

  3. 5 construction material (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical British English

    broken bricks or stones used to make a solid base for a road or building.

    mass of solid, not easily compressed material such as broken bricks or stone used as a foundation.

    Example

    The builders laid a layer of hardcore before pouring the concrete for the driveway.

    Example

    The specifications required a six-inch layer of compacted hardcore to ensure the stability of the new access road.
  4. 6 to an extreme degree (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Slang

    doing something in a very intense or extreme way.

    acting in an intense, extreme, or uncompromising manner; functions as an intensifier.

    Example

    They were partying hardcore until four in the morning.

    Example

    The team went hardcore on the final project, staying in the office for thirty-six hours straight to meet the deadline.
Origin

From hard + core: hard to the core; 1936 (n.); 1951 (adj.)

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