hardness

/ˈhɑːdnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhɑːrdnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhärd-nəs/ (ame, mw)

hardness — noun

1. the property of a material that keeps it from changing shape easily when you pre

1.名詞B1
釋義

the property of a material that keeps it from changing shape easily when you press, cut, scratch, or bend it

例句

Kenji tested the knife's hardness by tapping its edge against glass.

test the hardness of [metal object]

The hardness of the bathroom tile made drilling the hole much slower.

同義詞
  • firmness

    often suggests steady support or controlled resistance rather than extreme hardness

  • rigidity

    emphasises not bending or flexing, especially in structure

  • toughness

    focuses more on resisting damage or breaking under force

反義詞
  • softness

    the direct opposite in how easily a material gives way

  • flexibility

    opposes hardness when the material bends rather than staying rigid

文法句型

the hardness of [material / surface / object]

用法筆記

Common with materials such as metal, stone, wood, and concrete. In everyday conversation, speakers often use the adjective hard instead of the noun hardness unless they are comparing or measuring materials.

常見錯誤

❌The rock is full of hardness.
✅The rock is very hard.
💡The noun hardness usually names the property itself in measuring or comparison contexts, while ordinary description normally uses the adjective hard.

2. how tiring or demanding an activity is for the body or mind

2.名詞B2
釋義

how tiring or demanding an activity is for the body or mind

例句

Diya felt the climb's hardness most strongly during the last steep hour.

the hardness of [climb / race / job]

Parents often forget the hardness of raising twins without extra help.

同義詞
  • effort

    the broad everyday word for work or energy used

  • strain

    suggests tiring pressure on the body or mind

  • toughness

    more informal and often used for demanding experiences

反義詞
  • ease

    the opposite when something can be done without much strain

文法句型

the hardness of [task / work / training / climb]

hardness in [doing something]

用法筆記

Use this sense when the focus is on strain, stamina, or emotional effort. Distinguish it from sense 3: if the point is complexity or how hard something is to understand or solve, sense 3 is usually better.

常見錯誤

❌The hardness of the math question made me confused.
✅The difficulty of the math question made me confused.
💡This sense is about the effort something demands, not about whether it is easy to understand.

3. how hard a question, situation, or period of life is to work out or get through

3.名詞B2
釋義

how hard a question, situation, or period of life is to work out or get through

例句

Students complained about the hardness of the final chemistry questions.

the hardness of [question / exam / topic]

Arjun was not ready for the hardness of finding work in a new city.

同義詞
  • difficulty

    the most general everyday alternative

  • challenge

    often sounds more positive or motivating

  • complexity

    focuses on many parts or ideas rather than general difficulty

反義詞
  • ease

    the opposite when something is simple or manageable

  • simplicity

    opposes hardness in understanding or structure

文法句型

the hardness of [question / topic / problem / life]

用法筆記

This sense fits problems, topics, questions, and difficult experiences. If you are talking about the strength or energy a task takes from someone, sense 2 is more precise.

常見錯誤

❌The hardness of carrying the sofa hurt my back.
✅The effort of carrying the sofa hurt my back.
💡Use this sense for complexity or challenge, not for the physical strain itself.

4. a severe or unsympathetic way of speaking or behaving that shows little warmth o

4.名詞B2
釋義

a severe or unsympathetic way of speaking or behaving that shows little warmth or kindness

例句

The hardness in Felipe's voice made the children fall silent.

hardness in [voice / tone]

After the argument, everyone noticed a new hardness in Mira's face.

同義詞
  • harshness

    broader and often stronger, especially for tone or treatment

  • sternness

    can be firm without lacking all sympathy

  • coldness

    emphasises lack of warmth more than strict treatment

反義詞
  • gentleness

    the opposite in tone or treatment

  • warmth

    suggests kindness and emotional openness

文法句型

hardness in [voice / face / tone]

hardness toward [someone]

用法筆記

Often used for a voice, expression, tone, or treatment of other people. It suggests emotional distance or severity, not physical difficulty or the strength of a material.

常見錯誤

❌The hardness of the chair upset the customers.
✅The hardness in the manager's voice upset the customers.
💡This sense is about a person's manner, not about a hard physical object.

5. the level of dissolved minerals in water that makes soap lather poorly and leave

5.名詞B2
釋義

the level of dissolved minerals in water that makes soap lather poorly and leave pale marks behind

例句

The water's hardness left white marks on Sahil's shower door.

water hardness causing mineral marks

Mei noticed the hardness of the tap water when her shampoo stopped foaming.

同義詞
  • mineral content

    names the cause rather than the exact water-quality property

反義詞
  • softness

    the opposite in water quality, where minerals are low

文法句型

the hardness of [water]

water hardness

用法筆記

Most common in discussions of cleaning, plumbing, and household water quality. In ordinary conversation, people more often say the water is hard than talk about its hardness.

常見錯誤

❌This water has strong hardness.
✅This water is hard.
💡In everyday English, speakers usually describe the water directly with the adjective hard instead of using the noun hardness.