Hardwearing
What it means
Able to withstand frequent or demanding use for a long time.
Reach for it when praising practical durability rather than appearance
The shelter chose hardwearing fabric that could survive daily cleaning.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional | |
| formal |
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everyday
Fits when extended useful life should be stated plainly
Careful Something can last in storage without being hardwearing in daily use.
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everyday
Fits when solid construction resists ordinary damage
Careful Sturdy suggests structural firmness and is less natural for thin fabric or surface coatings.
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everyday
Fits when resistance to damage matters more than elegance
Careful Tough is informal and can imply stiffness or unpleasant texture.
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professional
Fits when long service life is the central measurable claim
Careful Durable is broad and may refer to weather or storage rather than repeated wear.
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professional
Fits when the item tolerates rough environments and handling
Careful Rugged can imply bulk or outdoor use that a refined hardwearing material lacks.
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formal
Fits when the material recovers after stress or deformation
Careful Resilience concerns recovery, not resistance to abrasion or gradual wear.
Opposites 3
- fragile
- flimsy
- short-lived
Common phrases 4
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hardwearing fabric
Hardwearing fabric covers the busiest seats in the library.
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hardwearing shoes
Her hardwearing shoes survived another season of field surveys.
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hardwearing finish
A hardwearing finish protects the shared worktables.
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lightweight and hardwearing
The new cases are lightweight and hardwearing enough for touring exhibits.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated