Hardest: meaning, definitions and examples

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hardest

 

[ ˈhɑrdɪst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

degree of difficulty

The term 'hardest' is the superlative form of the adjective 'hard'. It refers to something that is extremely difficult or challenging to achieve or perform. This could be in relation to a task, a problem, a material, or even a person's actions. When something is described as 'the hardest', it often implies that it surpasses all others in a comparison of difficulty. It can apply to various contexts, such as sports, academics, or physical challenges.

Synonyms

most challenging, most difficult, most strenuous, toughest

Examples of usage

  • This is the hardest exam I've ever taken.
  • Climbing Mount Everest is considered one of the hardest feats in mountaineering.
  • She finds math to be the hardest subject in school.

Translations

Translations of the word "hardest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais difícil

🇮🇳 सबसे कठिन

🇩🇪 am schwierigsten

🇮🇩 terk hardest

🇺🇦 найскладніший

🇵🇱 najtrudniejszy

🇯🇵 最も難しい

🇫🇷 le plus difficile

🇪🇸 el más difícil

🇹🇷 en zor

🇰🇷 가장 어려운

🇸🇦 الأكثر صعوبة

🇨🇿 nejtěžší

🇸🇰 najťažší

🇨🇳 最难的

🇸🇮 najtežji

🇮🇸 erfiðasti

🇰🇿 ең қиын

🇬🇪 ყველაზე რთული

🇦🇿 ən çətin

🇲🇽 el más difícil

Etymology

The word 'hard' comes from the Old English 'hearð', which meant 'firm, solid, or strong'. Over time, it evolved through Middle English as 'hard', retaining much of its original meaning. The comparative form 'harder' and the superlative form 'hardest' were established to provide a way to compare the intensity of difficulty or toughness between two or more subjects. The notion of hardness has also been associated with physical materials, denoting their resistance to scratching or deformation. In the context of challenges or tasks, the adjective began to be widely used to convey the level of difficulty encountered in various activities. The use of 'hardest' became prevalent particularly during the 19th century, coinciding with the rise of challenges in academia and sports, further embedding the term within the English lexicon.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,702, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.