adjective
tougher; toughest
very difficult to do or deal with
physically and emotionally strong :able to do hard work, to deal with harsh conditions, etc.
physically strong and violent
strong and not easily broken or damaged
difficult to cut or chew
very strict
having a lot of crime or danger
hard to influence or persuade
informal :unfortunate in a way that seems unfair
(as) tough as nails
(as) tough as old boots
Brit informal :very tough
a tough act to follow
a tough nut (to crack)
a tough row to hoe
hang tough
verb
toughs; toughed; toughing
tough it out
informal :to deal with a difficult situation by being determined and refusing to quit
noun
plural toughs
[count] informal + old-fashioned :a tough and violent person
adverb
in a way that shows that you are strong or tough
US