A hard thing is something that's not easy or gentle. It might be physical, like a rock, or it could be more of a challenge, like a difficult task.
When we say something is hard, we usually mean it's not simple or straightforward. If you're learning a new skill, like playing the piano, and it feels really tough to remember all the notes and rhythms, then that part of practicing might feel hard. Maybe you've been trying to fix a bike for hours, but nothing seems to work right – that can be frustrating because it's just not coming together easily. Hard things often require some effort or patience before they become easier.
How common is "hard"?
Word hard is considered common in modern English. It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
noun
A firm or paved beach or slope convenient for hauling vessels out of the water.
A tyre whose compound is softer than superhards, and harder than mediums.
Crack cocaine.
Hard labor.
Example: The prisoners were sentenced to three years' hard.
1 / 4
adjective
(of material or fluid) Having a severe property; presenting difficulty.
(personal or social) Having a severe property; presenting difficulty.
Unquestionable.
Example: hard evidence; a hard requirement
(of a road intersection) Having a comparatively larger or a ninety-degree angle.
Example: At the intersection, there are two roads going to the left. Take the hard left.
(of a male) Sexually aroused.
Example: I got so hard watching two hot guys wrestle each other on the beach.
Having muscles that are tightened as a result of intense, regular exercise.
Plosive.
Example: There is a hard c in "clock" and a soft c in "centre".
Unvoiced
Example: Hard k, t, s, ch, as distinguished from soft, g, d, z, j.
Velarized or plain, rather than palatalized
Example: The letter ж in Russian is always hard.
Having a severe property; presenting a barrier to enjoyment.
In a physical form, not digital.
Example: a soft or hard copy ; a digital or hard archive
Using a manual or physical process, not by means of a software command.
Example: a hard reboot or reset
Far, extreme.
Example: hard right, hard left
Of silk: not having had the natural gum boiled off.
