# strong

/ˈstɹɔŋ/ (US) · /stɹˈɒŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/strong
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. physical power

adjective · CEFR A1

having a lot of physical power or muscle.

For teachers: possessing great physical power or muscular force.

- He is strong enough to lift the heavy sofa by himself.
- The athlete's strong physique is the result of years of disciplined weightlifting and a strict nutritional regimen.

### 2. durable or tough

adjective · CEFR A2

not easily broken or damaged.

For teachers: capable of withstanding great physical force or pressure without breaking.

- You need a strong rope to tie the boat to the dock.
- The bridge was built with strong steel beams designed to endure the most extreme weather conditions.

### 3. intense or powerful

adjective · CEFR A2

very powerful or easy to notice, like a smell, a feeling, or a light.

For teachers: highly stimulating to the senses or having a high concentration of an active ingredient.

- The coffee was so strong that I had to add some milk.
- A strong scent of pine needles filled the air as we walked deeper into the forest.

### 4. determined

adjective · CEFR B1

having a firm personality or not changing your mind easily.

For teachers: showing determination, willpower, or resilience in the face of difficulty.

- She has a strong personality and always says what she thinks.
- Despite the criticism, the leader remained strong in her conviction that the new policy would benefit the community.

### 5. persuasive

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

easy to believe because it is based on good reasons.

For teachers: logically sound and convincing.

- The lawyer made a strong argument for why the man was innocent.
- The researchers presented strong evidence suggesting a direct correlation between sleep deprivation and cognitive decline.

### 6. grammar/verbs

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

used to describe verbs that change their middle sound to show the past, like 'sing' becoming 'sang'.

For teachers: denoting a class of verbs that form the past tense by a change in the root vowel rather than by adding a suffix.

- 'Speak' is a strong verb because its past tense is 'spoke'.
- In Germanic linguistics, strong verbs are distinguished by their use of ablaut to indicate tense changes.

### 7. chemical ionization

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

used to describe a chemical that breaks apart completely when mixed with water.

For teachers: referring to an acid or base that completely ionizes in an aqueous solution.

- Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that can burn your skin.
- The experiment required a strong electrolyte to ensure maximum conductivity within the solution.

### 8. impressive

adjective · CEFR C1 · American English · Slang

very good or impressive.

For teachers: denoting something that is of high quality or impressively executed.

- That was a strong performance by the lead singer.
- The team's effort in the final quarter was truly strong, securing their place in the championships.

### 9. quantity of people

adjective · CEFR B2

having a specific number of people in a group.

For teachers: having a specified numerical strength or population.

- The protest was ten thousand strong by the time it reached the city center.
- The enemy force, estimated to be five thousand strong, occupied the ridge overlooking the valley.

Usage: Always follows the number it describes.

### 10. with vigor

adverb · CEFR B1

in a powerful or determined way.

For teachers: with great force, intensity, or determination.

- The business is still going strong after fifty years.
- The marathon runner started to tire, but she managed to finish strong in the final mile.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'finish strong' or 'going strong'.

## Examples

- He is strong enough to lift the heavy box.
- The coffee was so strong that she had to add extra milk to make it drinkable.
- The bridge was built with reinforced steel to ensure it remained strong against the high winds and heavy traffic of the coastal region.

---

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.