strong
A strong person or object has a lot of power and is not easily broken or hurt.
Explanation at your level:
You use strong when you talk about power. If you can lift a heavy box, you are strong. A strong person has big muscles. You can also say a drink is strong if it has a lot of flavor. It is a very useful word for you to learn!
At this level, you can use strong to describe people and things. 'He is a strong athlete' or 'This is a strong rope.' You can also use it for weather, like a 'strong wind.' It helps you explain that something is powerful or hard to break.
Intermediate learners use strong for abstract ideas. You might have a strong opinion or a strong feeling about a topic. It is common to use it in professional contexts, such as 'a strong candidate' for a job. Remember to use it with 'very' to show intensity.
At the B2 level, you move into nuances. You can describe a strong economy or a strong argument. You will also start using idioms like 'going strong' or 'strong suit.' Understanding the difference between physical strength and metaphorical strength is key here.
Advanced users employ strong to describe subtle qualities. You might talk about a strong resemblance between two people or a strong contrast in a painting. It appears in academic writing to indicate the validity of data or the power of a theory. The word carries weight in formal debate.
Mastery involves understanding the historical and literary weight of the word. You might describe a strong character in a novel or a strong tradition in a culture. It is used to convey resilience and permanence. You will find it in sophisticated prose where the choice of 'strong' versus 'powerful' or 'sturdy' makes a distinct difference in tone.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Used to describe power and durability.
- Can refer to physical strength or intensity.
- Has comparative and superlative forms.
- Commonly used in idioms.
When we call someone strong, we usually mean they have a lot of muscle power. It is the opposite of being weak. You might be strong because you exercise, or you might have a strong character, which means you are brave and don't give up easily.
Beyond people, we use the word for things that don't break. A strong bridge can hold a lot of weight without collapsing. We also use it for intensity. A strong coffee has a bold, powerful taste, while a strong wind blows with great force.
The word strong comes from the Old English word strang. It has deep Germanic roots, sharing ancestors with the German word streng, which means strict or severe. Back in the day, it was used to describe things that were rigid, firm, or physically powerful.
Over centuries, the meaning expanded. While it started mostly as a physical descriptor, by the Middle Ages, it began to encompass mental fortitude and the intensity of sensations. It is fascinating how a word that once just meant 'tight' or 'firm' now covers everything from a weightlifter's muscles to a politician's argument.
Using strong correctly depends on the context. You can have a strong desire to do something, which is a common collocation. It is a very versatile word that works in both casual conversations and professional settings.
In formal writing, we often see it paired with abstract nouns like strong evidence or strong support. In casual speech, you might say, 'That's a strong look,' meaning someone looks very confident or stylish. It is a high-frequency word that is essential for describing quality and intensity.
Idioms make language colorful! Strong as an ox means someone is incredibly powerful. To come on strong means to be very aggressive or forward in a social situation. If you are going strong, it means you are continuing to do something well for a long time.
We also say strong suit to describe what someone is best at, like 'Math is my strong suit.' Finally, to hold the fort is related to being strong in responsibility, and strong-arm means to use force to make someone do what you want.
The word strong is an adjective. Its comparative form is stronger and the superlative is strongest. It is pronounced /strɒŋ/ in British English and /strɔːŋ/ in American English. It rhymes with long, song, wrong, and thong.
Grammatically, it is usually followed by a noun, or it acts as a subject complement after verbs like 'to be' or 'to feel.' It does not have a plural form because it is an adjective, but it can be modified by adverbs like 'very' or 'extremely' to increase its impact.
Fun Fact
It shares roots with the word 'string', as both imply being pulled tight.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'o' sound
Longer 'aw' sound
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'g' too hard
- Adding an extra syllable
- Confusing 'str' with 'st'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to pronounce
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Comparative Adjectives
stronger
Superlative Adjectives
strongest
Adjective placement
strong man
Examples by Level
He is very strong.
He + is + very + powerful
Adjective after verb
The coffee is strong.
The + coffee + has + much + flavor
Describes taste
She has strong arms.
She + has + powerful + arms
Adjective before noun
That is a strong box.
That + is + a + hard + box
Describes durability
He is a strong boy.
He + is + a + fit + boy
Simple sentence
The wind is strong.
The + wind + is + powerful
Nature context
I am not strong.
I + am + not + powerful
Negative form
Is he strong?
Is + he + powerful?
Interrogative
She has a strong personality.
This is a strong lock.
The team is very strong this year.
He has a strong voice.
We need a strong foundation.
The medicine has a strong smell.
She is a strong swimmer.
They have a strong friendship.
He made a strong case for the new project.
The company has a strong reputation.
There is a strong possibility of rain.
She has a strong desire to travel.
The evidence against him is very strong.
They have a strong sense of community.
This bridge is strong enough for trucks.
He gave a strong performance in the play.
The economy is going strong despite the challenges.
She is a strong advocate for human rights.
His argument was strong and well-researched.
They formed a strong alliance during the war.
The scent of lavender was very strong in the room.
He has a strong grasp of the subject matter.
The building has a strong steel frame.
She showed strong leadership during the crisis.
The data provides strong support for the hypothesis.
There is a strong resemblance between the two siblings.
His strong conviction made him stand out.
The contrast between the two colors is very strong.
She has a strong command of several languages.
The film has a strong narrative arc.
The committee reached a strong consensus.
He has a strong aversion to spicy food.
The tradition remains strong in this remote village.
She possesses a strong moral compass.
The novel is a strong critique of modern society.
His influence remains strong long after his death.
The foundation of their marriage is strong.
The scent of the sea was strong on the breeze.
He has a strong penchant for classical music.
The architectural style is a strong reflection of the era.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"strong as an ox"
Very physically strong
That farmer is strong as an ox.
casual"come on strong"
To be aggressive or forward
He came on too strong at the party.
casual"going strong"
Still doing well
My old car is still going strong.
neutral"strong suit"
Something you are good at
Public speaking is not my strong suit.
neutral"strong-arm"
To use force/coercion
They tried to strong-arm me into signing.
formal"hold the fort"
To take responsibility
You hold the fort while I am away.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean durable
Sturdy is specifically for objects.
A sturdy chair.
Both imply power
Powerful is broader, often for machines/influence.
Powerful engine.
Both mean resilient
Tough implies surviving hardship.
A tough decision.
Both mean solid
Firm implies not soft or changing.
A firm handshake.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + strong
The wind is strong.
Strong + noun
He has a strong opinion.
Strong + enough + to + verb
He is strong enough to lift it.
Stronger + than + noun
She is stronger than him.
The + strongest + noun
He is the strongest man.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
Strong refers to power, healthy refers to well-being.
Double superlative error.
Strong is not a physical dimension like height.
Strong implies quality/power, loud implies volume.
We use severe for weather patterns.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a gym with a giant 'S' on the wall.
When Native Speakers Use It
We use it for opinions, not just muscles.
Cultural Insight
Being 'strong' is often praised in Western culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Adjective + noun is the most common pattern.
Say It Right
Don't pronounce the 'g' as a hard 'g' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use 'strongerest'.
Did You Know?
It comes from Old English 'strang'.
Study Smart
Learn the noun 'strength' at the same time.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
STR-ONG: Strength TRusts ON Greatness.
Visual Association
A bodybuilder lifting a massive weight.
Word Web
Défi
Describe three things you are strong at today.
Origine du mot
Old English
Original meaning: Rigid, firm
Contexte culturel
None, but can be used aggressively in some contexts.
Used frequently in sports and business culture.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- strong candidate
- strong leadership
- strong support
in sports
- strong athlete
- strong team
- going strong
at home
- strong coffee
- strong smell
- strong lock
in debate
- strong argument
- strong evidence
- strong opinion
Conversation Starters
"Who is the strongest person you know?"
"Do you prefer strong or weak coffee?"
"What is your strong suit at work?"
"How do you stay strong during hard times?"
"Is it important to have a strong character?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to be strong.
Describe someone you admire for their strong personality.
What makes a country strong?
How can you strengthen your own skills?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNo, it is an adjective. The verb is strengthen.
No, use 'stronger'.
Mostly, but it can be negative, like a 'strong smell'.
Strength.
Like 'long' with an 'str' at the start.
Yes, it is a very high-frequency word.
Yes, for taste.
Yes, for wind.
Teste-toi
He is very ___.
Strong describes power.
Which means hard to break?
Strong things are durable.
Strong coffee means it has a lot of flavor.
Correct usage of intensity.
Word
Signification
Idiomatic comparison.
Subject-verb-adverb-adjective.
Score : /5
Summary
Strong is a versatile word used to describe power, intensity, and resilience in both people and things.
- Used to describe power and durability.
- Can refer to physical strength or intensity.
- Has comparative and superlative forms.
- Commonly used in idioms.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a gym with a giant 'S' on the wall.
When Native Speakers Use It
We use it for opinions, not just muscles.
Cultural Insight
Being 'strong' is often praised in Western culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Adjective + noun is the most common pattern.
Exemple
He is strong enough to carry all the grocery bags at once.
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Apprendre en contexte
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