strength
/streŋkθ/ (bre, ipa) · /streŋkθ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstreŋ(k)th ˈstren(t)th/ (ame, mw)
strength — noun
- strengthsingular
- strengthsplural
1. the physical or mental ability that allows a person to lift heavy objects, run f
the physical or mental ability that allows a person to lift heavy objects, run for a long time, concentrate on difficult tasks, or keep going when things are hard.
Caleb had to build his upper-body strength before he could join the rock-climbing team.
build [one's] strength
Soraya did not have the mental strength to deal with another round of job interviews this week.
mental strength
Regular swimming helped Christopher regain the strength in his legs after the accident.
The marathon tested not just her physical strength but also how long she could push through the pain.
- weakness
the opposite of physical or mental capacity
文法句型
[possessive] + strength
strength in [body part]
strength to + infinitive
用法筆記
Uncountable noun. Often paired with verbs like 'build', 'regain', 'lose', 'test', and 'draw on'. When referring to mental endurance, 'inner strength' or 'strength of character' are common collocations.
2. the degree or amount of power, force, or influence that a country, group, or arg
the degree or amount of power, force, or influence that a country, group, or argument has.
The strength of the union's argument lay in the detailed data about working conditions across the industry.
strength of [argument]
Arjun was impressed by the strength of the small company's position in the international market.
strength of [economy/company] position
Hui could not believe the strength of public support for the new environmental policy.
Few smaller nations dared to challenge the economic strength of the regional trading bloc.
- weakness
lack of influence or force
文法句型
the strength of [entity]
用法筆記
Uncountable noun. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is about a person's own capacity, while sense 2 is about the influence or persuasive power of abstract entities such as arguments, countries, organisations, and public opinion.
3. a particular quality, skill, or characteristic that gives a person, product, or
a particular quality, skill, or characteristic that gives a person, product, or idea an advantage over others.
Sumin's greatest strength as a designer is her ability to spot problems before clients notice them.
[one's] greatest strength
Aarav told the board that the main strength of this proposal is that it needs no new staff or equipment.
main strength of [proposal]
Darius knew his weakness in math, but his real strength lay in explaining complex ideas with simple words.
Devika kept a small notebook listing the strengths of each team member so she could assign tasks well.
- asset
more formal; used in business and finance contexts
- advantage
focuses on competitive benefit rather than inherent quality
- strong point
more conversational and idiomatic
文法句型
[possessive] + strength(s)
strength(s) and weakness(es)
用法筆記
Countable noun; often appears in the paired phrase 'strengths and weaknesses'. Commonly used in résumés, performance reviews, and product evaluations.
4. the total number of people who belong to a particular group, team, organization,
the total number of people who belong to a particular group, team, organization, or military force at a given time.
The nursing team is currently operating at half strength because three members are on sick leave.
at half strength
Ilan estimated the strength of the crowd at roughly two thousand people.
the strength of the crowd
The strength of the police force in this district has doubled since the mayor took office.
The army reduced its strength by five thousand soldiers during the budget cuts.
文法句型
at full/half strength
the strength of [group]
用法筆記
Uncountable noun. Frequently appears in fixed phrases: 'at full strength' (with all members present), 'at half strength' (with half the members), and 'the strength of [group]'.
5. used in the fixed phrase 'in strength', meaning in large numbers — a group of pe
used in the fixed phrase 'in strength', meaning in large numbers — a group of people arriving or gathering together at a place.
Fans arrived in strength to watch the final match at the national stadium.
arrive in strength
The company's security team was out in strength at the annual shareholders' meeting.
out in strength
Local fishermen protested in strength when the government announced new fishing restrictions.
Medical volunteers turned out in strength when the earthquake hit the coastal town.
- in force
interchangeable, possibly more common in military or security contexts
- in large numbers
less idiomatic but clearer for learners
文法句型
in strength
用法筆記
Only used in the fixed adverbial phrase 'in strength'. Distinguish from sense 4: sense 4 describes the size of a group, while sense 5 describes people arriving or appearing in large numbers.
6. having fewer members or workers than the usual or needed number; used in the fix
having fewer members or workers than the usual or needed number; used in the fixed phrase 'below strength'.
The restaurant was running below strength all evening, so customers had to wait longer for their meals.
below strength
With two teachers out sick, the school was well below strength and had to combine several classes.
below strength [school/staff]
Even though the team is below strength today, Andrei insisted they could still meet the deadline.
The kitchen was below strength on Saturday night, so the chef asked the waiters to help with washing dishes.
- understaffed
the plain English equivalent; more direct and common in business
- short-handed
informal; used in sports and casual contexts
- at full strength
the opposite fixed phrase
文法句型
below strength
用法筆記
Only used in the fixed phrase 'below strength'. The opposite is 'above strength' or 'at full strength' (sense 4). Common in workplace, military, and sports contexts.
7. in the phrase 'at full strength' — the condition of a person, team, or machine t
in the phrase 'at full strength' — the condition of a person, team, or machine that is fully fit, fully staffed, or running normally, so it can deliver its best performance.
Beatrix was delighted to see her research team back at full strength after the flu season.
phrasal: at full strength
The choir performed at full strength for the sold-out concert at the town hall.
Christopher played in the final but admitted he was not at full strength after his injury.
Esteban was relieved when the factory line ran at full strength again after the repair work.
- fully operational
more formal, suitable for machinery or organisations; less common for individuals
- at peak capacity
emphasises maximum output rather than having all members present
- below strength
direct opposite — having fewer members than needed
- understaffed
specific to workplace or team contexts
用法筆記
Always used in the fixed phrase 'at full strength' — typically modifies the verb that comes before it ('be at full strength', 'play at full strength', 'operate at full strength'). Can describe individuals (meaning fully fit) or groups (meaning fully staffed).
常見錯誤
8. the condition of a group or team when every position is filled with the number o
the condition of a group or team when every position is filled with the number of people it needs to operate normally.
Élise hired three more cooks to bring the kitchen up to strength before the summer rush.
phrasal: bring [dept] up to strength
The hospital needed six more nurses to be up to strength for the winter months.
phrasal: be up to strength
Zayd checked the staffing levels to see if every department was up to strength.
After the new hire joined, the marketing team was finally up to strength.
- fully staffed
more direct and widely understood; less idiomatic but clearer for learners
- at full complement
formal, military or official context
- below strength
most common opposite phrase
- short-handed
informal, especially in sports or retail contexts
用法筆記
Used in the fixed phrase 'up to strength', which is more common in British English than American English. Often paired with 'bring' (bring the team up to strength) or 'be' (be up to strength). The opposite is 'below strength' or 'under strength'.
常見錯誤
9. the quality of a physical object that lets it bear heavy loads, stay firm under
the quality of a physical object that lets it bear heavy loads, stay firm under pressure, or remain whole when pushed or pulled.
Yasmin tested the strength of the old bridge by driving a loaded truck across it.
collocation: test the strength of [object]
An architect checked the strength of the wooden beams before approving the new floor.
The strength of the concrete wall surprised the demolition crew, who needed a bigger drill.
Owen reinforced the fence posts to increase their strength against the strong coastal wind.
- sturdiness
emphasises solid build and resistance to shaking; less precise for load-bearing capacity
- durability
focuses on lasting a long time without wearing out, rather than resisting a single force
- tensile strength
technical engineering term for resistance to being pulled apart; too specific for general use
用法筆記
Commonly paired with verbs like 'test', 'check', 'increase', 'measure', or 'assess'. Often used in engineering, construction, and materials science contexts. Describes physical objects such as beams, walls, ropes, bridges, and concrete.
10. the mental or emotional quality that allows a person to stay brave, determined,
the mental or emotional quality that allows a person to stay brave, determined, and hopeful when facing difficulty, pain, loss, or hardship.
Putri drew on her inner strength to get through the long months of rehabilitation after the accident.
collocation: draw on one's [inner] strength
It took great strength for Sana to walk away from a job she loved but that made her unhappy.
pattern: It takes [great/real] strength to [verb]
The old fisherman faced the storm with a quiet strength that the younger crew admired.
Minh found the strength to apologise to his brother after years of not speaking to each other.
- courage
focuses on facing fear rather than enduring hardship over time
- resilience
emphasises the ability to recover quickly from setbacks
- fortitude
formal; describes patient endurance of pain or difficulty
- grit
informal; emphasises persistence and determination over a long period
用法筆記
Often uncountable in this sense. Common grammatical patterns include 'the strength to + infinitive' (the strength to carry on) and 'strength of character' as a related compound. This sense is closest in meaning to 'courage' but emphasises endurance over boldness.
常見錯誤
11. how intensely a personal feeling, emotion, opinion, reaction, or belief is felt
how intensely a personal feeling, emotion, opinion, reaction, or belief is felt or shown by an individual or by the public.
Mei was surprised by the strength of public reaction to the new parking rules downtown.
collocation: strength of [reaction / feeling / opinion]
Astrid was startled by the strength of her own anger when she read the rejection letter.
Diego could feel the strength of his grandmother's disappointment in her long silence at dinner.
Nobody expected the strength of the mayor's opposition to the new library project.
- force
emphasises power to persuade or compel, rather than the degree of feeling
- intensity
focuses on emotional depth; more common for feelings than for arguments
- conviction
specifically about how firmly someone believes something
- mildness
suggests a gentle or weak degree of feeling or reaction
- indifference
lack of feeling or interest altogether
用法筆記
Typically appears in the structure 'the strength of + [abstract noun]' — the abstract noun is an opinion, feeling, belief, reaction, argument, or emotion. Frequently paired with verbs like 'feel', 'measure', 'show', or 'demonstrate'.
12. the power, speed, or intensity with which a natural force such as wind, water, e
the power, speed, or intensity with which a natural force such as wind, water, electricity, or a transmitted signal operates.
The strength of the river current made it impossible for the rescue team to cross safely.
collocation: strength of [natural force: current / wind / signal]
James measured the signal strength on the mountain before setting up the communication relay.
collocation: signal strength
The strength of the typhoon winds tore the roof off several houses in the fishing village.
The strength of the earthquake was measured at six-point-five on the Richter scale.
用法筆記
Common in both literal (wind, current, waves) and technical (signal, broadcast, electrical current) contexts. The phrase 'signal strength' is a fixed compound in telecommunications. Unlike sense 11, this sense deals with physical, measurable forces rather than abstract emotions.
常見錯誤
13. how strong or concentrated a particular taste, smell, medicine, chemical, light,
how strong or concentrated a particular taste, smell, medicine, chemical, light, or sound is — the quality that makes it easily noticed or effective.
Trang reduced the strength of the chili paste by adding more coconut milk.
collocation: reduce the strength of [substance]
The night-shift nurse adjusted the strength of the painkiller for the elderly patient.
collocation: adjust the strength of [medicine]
Sofia could tell the strength of the coffee just from the smell filling the kitchen.
Sora turned down the lamp because the full strength of the light hurt his eyes.
- potency
more scientific or medical; emphasises effectiveness rather than the degree of concentration
- concentration
precise chemical or technical term; sounds less natural for taste or smell
- intensity
used more for sensory effects like light, sound, or colour than for taste or substances
用法筆記
Often paired with verbs like 'reduce', 'adjust', 'increase', or 'measure'. Commonly describes food (chili, vinegar), drink (coffee, tea, alcohol), medicine, cleaning products, and sensory stimuli (light, sound, smell).
14. the financial value, stability, or market power of a company, currency, economy,
the financial value, stability, or market power of a company, currency, economy, or investment — how well it can resist losses or compete.
The strength of the Japanese yen made overseas holidays more expensive for local families.
collocation: strength of [currency]
Selim reviewed the quarterly report to assess the financial strength of the logistics company.
collocation: financial strength of [company]
Investors were impressed by the strength of the startup's balance sheet after only two years.
The strength of the local currency attracted foreign investors to the bond market.
- weakness
general opposite; in finance 'weakness' is common for currencies and markets
- volatility
not a direct opposite, but a stable currency is seen as strong while a volatile one is seen as risky
用法筆記
Common in business and finance contexts. Typical collocations include 'financial strength', 'market strength', 'currency strength', and 'the strength of an economy'. Often measured through indicators like reserves, profit margins, or exchange rates.