strong
/strɒŋ/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
- 1.
Having a lot of physical power or force. It can also mean difficult to break, move, or damage.
- He is strong enough to lift the table.
- This rope is very strong.
- 2.
Showing a clear effect, feeling, or quality. It often describes opinions, emotions, smells, tea, coffee, or wind.
- She has a strong opinion about the plan.
- The coffee is too strong for me.
- 3.
Likely to work well, succeed, or continue without problems.
- Our team is in a strong position.
- The company had strong sales last month.
Adinary Nuance
Strong is broader than powerful and more common in everyday English. Use powerful for greater force, influence, or authority, and strong for people, objects, feelings, opinions, and results. Compared with robust, strong is simpler and more general. Compared with sturdy, it can describe strength in objects, but also in ideas and emotions.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- mạnh
- Spanish
- fuerte
- Chinese
- 强壮的
- Japanese
- 強い
- Korean
- 강한
Etymology
Strong comes from Old English strang, meaning 'tight, firm, powerful.' It has been used in English since early medieval times.
Common phrases
strong feelingsstrong evidencestrong coffeestrong wind
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is strong a formal word?
- It is common in both speaking and writing. It is not especially formal.
- What is the difference between strong and powerful?
- Strong is broader and more everyday. Powerful often means greater force, influence, or impact.
- Can I say strong opinion?
- Yes. It means an opinion you feel clearly and firmly.
- Is strong used in academic writing?
- Yes, especially in phrases like strong evidence or strong results.