adjective
Only one kind of material is tough enough to endure such conditions for so long
That steak was as tough as shoe-leather
Two tough-looking characters moved towards us, so we left
We deal with tough complaints every day. It's a tough job
The examiners asked us some very tough questions
He's a tough man to work for, but he's fair
interjection
When I told him that my money had been stolen, he said 'Tough!'
noun
A couple of toughs who had been threatening the cashier disappeared when they saw our uniforms
US