# robust

/ɹoʊˈbəst/ (US) · /ɹəʊbˈʌst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/robust
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. strong and healthy

adjective · CEFR B2

strong and healthy in a physical way.

For teachers: possessing or showing physical strength and good health.

- He remained robust well into his eighties, still walking several miles every morning.
- The study followed a group of robust centenarians to determine which lifestyle factors contributed most to their enduring physical vitality.

Usage: Often used to describe elderly people who remain surprisingly active.

### 2. durable or reliable

adjective · CEFR B2

strong enough to work well even in difficult conditions.

For teachers: capable of withstanding adverse conditions or rough handling without failing.

- The hikers needed robust boots that could handle the rocky mountain paths.
- The equipment was designed to be robust enough for use in extreme arctic temperatures where standard electronics often fail.

### 3. logical or successful

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

strong and effective, like a plan, an economy, or an argument.

For teachers: strong and unlikely to be challenged or weakened; showing vigor and effectiveness.

- The company reported robust sales growth despite the difficult economy.
- The researcher presented a robust defense of her theory, citing several peer-reviewed studies that supported her initial findings.

### 4. computing/systems

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describes a computer program or system that does not crash easily.

For teachers: able to continue functioning despite errors, unexpected input, or partial failure.

- We need a more robust system to handle the high volume of traffic on our website.
- The software architecture is remarkably robust, maintaining core functionality even when several external API dependencies are unavailable.

### 5. statistics

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describes a result that stays accurate even if some data is slightly wrong.

For teachers: yielding valid results even when the underlying assumptions of a statistical model are violated.

- The findings are robust across different groups of people.
- The statistical test is robust to non-normality, making it a reliable choice for analyzing this specific dataset.

### 6. rough or rude

adjective · CEFR C2 · Humorous · Formal

used as a polite way to say someone is a bit loud, rough, or lacks manners.

For teachers: used euphemistically to describe behavior that is coarse, blunt, or lacking in refinement.

- He has a rather robust sense of humor that not everyone appreciates.
- The debate was characterized by a robust exchange of views that occasionally bordered on the personal.

## Examples

- The company needs a robust plan to survive the economic crisis.
- Engineers designed the bridge to be robust enough to withstand extreme weather and heavy traffic for decades.
- The researcher argued that the findings were robust, as the same patterns emerged even after adjusting for several different variables and potential biases.

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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.