Definition of hardy in English:

adjectivehardier, hardiest

• 1Capable of enduring difficult conditions; robust.

  ‘a hardy breed of cattle’

  More example sentences

  • ‘The traditional cattle are hardy breeds which can cope with the tough upland climate.’
  • ‘The infrastructure to combat hardy weather conditions was carefully put into force here.’
  • ‘The mountainous region around the small Corsican town of Bastilyica breeds a hardy, proud people.’
  • ‘For a start, hardy breeds like Herdwicks don't have as many lambs as their lowland counterparts.’
  • ‘The hallikara is known to be a hardy breed suited to the needs of dry land farming.’
  • ‘The giant peaks of the Grampians attract hardy walkers like magnets, and who can blame them with such magnificent hills to climb?’
  • ‘The walkers are a hardy community though and gather by 4 am to do their brisk rounds.’
  • ‘This breed is hardy and simple grooming will keep its beautiful appearance shown to best advantage.’
  • ‘Liverpool supporters insist their team will Never Walk Alone and nor will a group of hardy Hartlepool fans next week.’
  • ‘Stephen proved a little more hardy than his hunky doctor character, who in the TV programme fainted at the sight of his own blood.’
  • ‘For the 700 or so hardy souls who live here, supplies of food, drink and clothing can, at times, seem unreliable.’
  • ‘The famous hardy and sure-footed Basotho ponies can take visitors into areas not accessible by road.’
  • ‘He said the usual prognosis for such surgery is normally poor but Might And Power's hardy nature is in his favour.’
  • ‘Both sides defied the terrible conditions to turn in an entertaining display in front of the hardy few hundred who braved the elements.’
  • ‘With their diet of oats and their outfits - kilts with no underpants - Scots were once considered a hardy lot.’
  • ‘The hazards of life in a border area are many… the land makes its people hardy.’
  • ‘Everyone seems oblivious to the rain falling from a worryingly thunderous sky, a mere inconvenience to this hardy bunch.’
  • ‘Richards has jokingly suggested that he comes from hardy stock which can withstand things that would kill the average person.’
  • ‘Even the hardy Scandinavians on the tour are in woollies and thick socks.’
  • ‘These most hardy of people have a highly advanced knowledge of their environment.’

  Synonyms

  robust, healthy, fit, strong, sturdy, tough, rugged, hearty, lusty, vigorous, hale and hearty, fit as a fiddle, fighting fit, in fine fettle, in good health, in good condition

  View synonyms

  1. 1.1(of a plant) able to survive outside during winter.
     ‘a favourite flowering shrub for early spring, vigorous and hardy’
     More example sentences

     • ‘The timing of growth cessation is an important adaptation to ensure that the tree is hardy for winter.’
     • ‘This hardy shrub grows well in shade as well as sun and tolerates almost every soil type.’
     • ‘Although the tubers themselves are winter hardy, a mulch layer is highly recommended.’
     • ‘Those that are not winter hardy are the bulbs that are planted in spring.’
     • ‘They are also completely winter hardy and have an excellent ability to survive floods and drought.’
     • ‘A gardening neighbor had a small cold frame in which she grew hardy flowers for early and late blooms.’
     • ‘However, some mass marketers have trees and shrubs that are not winter hardy in the area sold.’
     • ‘It's a good time to plant holly and yew as well as hardy ferns.’
     • ‘The vegetation is certainly hardy, it has to be, and there is the expectation of winter rainfalls.’
     • ‘Most species are so extremely winter hardy and easy to grow that no garden should be without them.’
     • ‘If a plant is rated as hardy to zone 2 we know how low a temperature plunge that plant is likely to survive.’
     • ‘If you don't know whether or not your roses are winter hardy, err on the side of caution and protect them.’
     • ‘Most hardy pond plants need to be lowered to the deep part of the pond to avoid being frozen out.’
     • ‘Many summer-flowering lily varieties are quite hardy and can be planted in either fall or spring.’
     • ‘The fuchsia isn't necessarily hardy but it has survived one winter outside and in a sheltered spot near a house wall it may well cope again.’
     • ‘Former railway goods yard now garden featuring new woodland garden with many hardy ferns.’
     • ‘Outdoors, sow cold hardy crops like lettuce, spinach, other leafy greens and peas.’
     • ‘Ah, well I'm particularly interested in your range of hardy Geraniums.’
     • ‘Non-invasive and hardy, it will grow to 15 feet if fed and watered well.’
     • ‘However, there is no time for complacency as the frosts will eventually reach these areas and kill off anything that isn't hardy.’