# toughness

/ˈtəfnəs/ (US) · /tˈʌfnəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/toughness
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. physical or mental strength

noun · CEFR B2

the ability to deal with pain, difficulty, or hardship without giving up.

For teachers: the quality of being strong enough to endure hardship or strain; psychological resilience or physical stamina.

- The marathon runner showed incredible toughness by finishing the race with a hurt leg.
- The candidate's mental toughness was tested during the grueling three-day interview process designed to simulate high-pressure environments.

### 2. durability of a material

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the quality of being strong and difficult to break or tear.

For teachers: the ability of a material to absorb energy and deform plastically without fracturing.

- The toughness of the leather makes it perfect for heavy-duty work boots.
- Engineers selected this specific alloy for its exceptional fracture toughness, ensuring the bridge could withstand extreme thermal expansion.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the general property of a material.

### 3. strictness or severity

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of being very strict or firm about rules and behavior.

For teachers: the quality of being uncompromising or severe in the enforcement of standards or discipline.

- The coach is known for his toughness, but his players always improve.
- The administration's toughness on budget deficits led to significant cuts in public spending across all departments.

## Examples

- The athlete showed great mental toughness during the final race.
- Engineers test the toughness of the new alloy by subjecting it to repeated high-impact collisions.
- While physical strength is necessary for the climb, it is the mental toughness of the mountaineers that determines whether they can endure the oxygen-depleted environment of the summit.

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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.