robust

/rəʊˈbʌst/ (bre, ipa) · /rəʊˈbʌst/ (ame, ipa) · /rō-ˈbəst ˈrō-(ˌ)bəst/ (ame, mw)

robust — adjective

  • robustpositive
  • more robustcomparative
  • most robustsuperlative

1. Any living thing — person or animal — that is robust has excellent physical cond

1.形容詞B2
釋義

Any living thing — person or animal — that is robust has excellent physical condition, with a strong body that can handle hard work without tiring easily and rarely falls ill.

例句

Even at eighty-two, Ife remained robust and walked five kilometres every morning before breakfast.

collocation: remain + robust

The ranch used robust horses that could pull heavy carts through muddy fields all day.

attributive: robust + animals

同義詞
  • strong

    more general; works for physical, mental, or structural strength

  • healthy

    broader — can mean simply free from illness, not necessarily vigorous

  • sturdy

    focuses on build and solidity rather than overall health

反義詞
  • frail

    describes a person who is physically weak and delicate

  • weak

    general opposite; lacks strength in any sense

文法句型

robust + noun

be + robust

常見錯誤

❌My grandmother is very robust' (when meaning mentally strong).
✅My grandmother is very resilient.
💡'robust' primarily describes physical health and strength, not emotional toughness.

2. An object, system, or machine that is robust is built or designed in a way that

2.形容詞B2
釋義

An object, system, or machine that is robust is built or designed in a way that makes it strong and able to keep working well even when used heavily, handled roughly, or placed under difficult conditions.

例句

Tomás built a robust network that handled fifty thousand users logging in at once.

attributive: robust + technical system

Aylin bought a robust suitcase that survived five years of airline use without cracking.

同義詞
  • sturdy

    more common for physical objects; implies solid construction

  • durable

    focuses on lasting a long time without wearing out

  • rugged

    suggests resistance to rough handling or harsh environments

  • resilient

    emphasises the ability to recover quickly from problems

反義詞
  • fragile

    easily broken or damaged

  • flimsy

    weakly made; likely to break under light use

  • vulnerable

    open to damage or failure

文法句型

robust + noun

be + robust

常見錯誤

❌This table is very robust' (when meaning simply 'strong').
✅This table is very sturdy / well-built.
💡'robust' implies the ability to withstand stress or heavy use over time, not just basic strength.

3. Food or drink that is robust offers a flavour that is deep, strong, and fills th

3.形容詞C1
釋義

Food or drink that is robust offers a flavour that is deep, strong, and fills the mouth in a satisfying way — the taste is immediately noticeable and often lingers.

例句

Linh served a robust red wine that tasted of blackberries and dark spices.

collocation: robust wine

This robust coffee comes from high-altitude farms in Guatemala and has a chocolaty finish.

同義詞
  • full-bodied

    very close in meaning; common for wine, coffee, beer

  • rich

    broader — can also describe creamy, fatty, or sweet richness

  • hearty

    used for food that is satisfying and substantial

反義詞
  • mild

    gentle flavour; the opposite of strong or intense

  • light

    delicate, not heavy on the palate

  • thin

    watery or lacking depth of flavour

文法句型

robust + food/drink noun

常見錯誤

❌This soup tastes robust' (when the speaker simply means 'good' or 'flavourful').
✅This soup has a robust flavour.
💡'robust' is typically used attributively (before the noun) with flavour/food/drink terms, not predicatively.

4. Behaviour, humour, or language that is robust is direct and rough in a way that

4.形容詞C1
釋義

Behaviour, humour, or language that is robust is direct and rough in a way that some people consider rude, unrefined, or lacking in politeness.

例句

The comedian's robust humour made young people laugh, but older audience members looked uncomfortable.

collocation: robust humour

Sivan's robust way of speaking shocked new colleagues used to more careful phrasing.

同義詞
  • coarse

    stronger negative connotation; suggests vulgarity

  • crude

    implies lack of polish or subtlety

  • rough

    more general; can be neutral or negative depending on context

反義詞
  • refined

    polished and elegant in manner or expression

  • polite

    showing good manners and consideration for others

文法句型

robust + noun (humour, language, manner)

用法筆記

This sense is less common than senses 1–3 and carries a mildly negative connotation — it suggests coarseness rather than just directness. Use with care in formal contexts. It is often applied to intentionally rough or earthy humour (e.g. robust jokes) rather than to genuinely insulting behaviour.

常見錯誤

❌He gave a robust speech at the conference' (intending 'confident' or 'forceful').
✅He gave a forceful / confident speech.
💡'robust' in this sense implies roughness or lack of refinement, not confident energy.