1 difficult; having or causing problems 困难的；有难题的；引致难题的: It will be a tough decision to make. 那将是个难做的决定。He's had a tough time of it (= a lot of problems) recently. 他最近遇到很多难题。

2 tough (on/with sb/sth) strict; not feeling sorry for anyone 严厉的；不讲情面的: The government plans to get tough with people who drink and drive. 政府打算严厉对待酒后驾驶的人。Don't be too tough on them -- they were only trying to help. 别对他们太苛刻─他们当时只是想帮帮忙。

3 strong enough to deal with difficult conditions or situations 坚强的；能吃苦的；不屈不挠的: You need to be tough to go climbing in winter. 冬天爬山一定要吃得起苦。

4 (used especially about meat) difficult to cut and eat （尤指肉）硬的，切不动的，咬不动的

5 not easily broken, torn or cut; very strong 坚韧的；结实的: a tough pair of boots 一双耐穿的靴子

6 (informal 非正式)tough (on sb) unfortunate for sb in a way that seems unfair 不幸的；倒霉的: It's tough on her that she lost her job. 她丢了工作，真倒霉。 ➔toughness noun [U]