# harder

/ˈhɑɹdɝ/ (US) · /hˈɑːdɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/harder
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. more difficult

adjective · CEFR A2

more difficult to do, understand, or deal with.

For teachers: denoting a higher level of difficulty or complexity compared to another task or situation.

- The second level of the game is much harder than the first.
- The advanced physics module proved significantly harder than the introductory course, requiring twice as many hours of independent study.

### 2. more solid

adjective · CEFR A2

more solid or firm; not easy to break or bend.

For teachers: possessing a higher degree of physical rigidity or resistance to pressure.

- This mattress is harder than my old one, but it is better for my back.
- The alloy becomes harder after the cooling process, making it suitable for industrial cutting tools.

### 3. with more effort

adverb · CEFR A2

with more energy, strength, or effort.

For teachers: with greater intensity, force, or application of effort.

- You need to study harder if you want to pass the final exam.
- The team worked harder in the second half, eventually overcoming the deficit to win the championship match.

## Examples

- This new math problem is much harder than the last one.
- The ground becomes much harder during the winter months when the temperature stays below freezing for several days.
- As the project progressed into its final stages, the team realized that securing additional funding would be significantly harder than they had initially anticipated.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.