hard word
The term "hard word" typically refers to words that are challenging to understand, pronounce, or spell, and it can also imply unkind comments or specific insider information in certain dialects.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(common)A word that is difficult to understand, pronounce, or spell.
Example
- For many English learners, 'conscientious' is a hard word.
- The medical report was filled with hard words that were difficult to comprehend.
B2Social Interaction
(informal, plural)An unkind comment or insult.
Example
- They exchanged hard words during the argument.
C1Regional (Ireland, Australia)
(informal)A piece of inside information or a tip-off.
Example
- He gave me the hard word about the upcoming job openings.
C1Regional (UK, Australia, New Zealand)
(colloquial)A persistent or rude request, especially for money.
Example
- She put the hard word on him for a loan.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "hard word":
big wordhard workgood wordhard outhard goinghard timehard rhard bymake hard work ofhard nut to crackdirty wordgo hardmy wordword timetough nut to crack