Winter-hardy
What it means
Strong enough to thrive through cold winter conditions.
Reach for it when describing a plant or organism able to survive the relevant winter conditions
Winter-hardy greens supplied the kitchen through several frosts.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
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| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional |
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| formal |
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playful
winterproof
Fits when strong seasonal protection is claimed informally
Careful Winterproof sounds absolute and lacks a standard.
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everyday
Fits when general environmental toughness is enough
Careful Hardy does not specify winter.
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warm
Fits when recovery after seasonal stress is emphasized
Careful Resilience may follow damage rather than prevent it.
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professional
cold-tolerant
Fits when a stated low-temperature range is endured
Careful Tolerance can involve damage short of death.
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professional
frost-hardy
Fits when survival of freezing temperatures is tested
Careful Frost hardiness may not cover months of cold.
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formal
overwintering
Fits when survival or maintenance through winter is the process
Careful Overwintering describes behavior, not inherent hardiness.
Opposites 3
- frost-tender
- cold-sensitive
- winter-killed
Common phrases 3
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winter-hardy variety
The winter-hardy variety survived three nights below minus fifteen.
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reliably winter-hardy
This shrub is reliably winter-hardy only in sheltered soil.
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winter-hardy roots
Winter-hardy roots sent up new shoots after the exposed stems died.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Winter hardiness depends on temperature, duration, wind, soil, moisture, and acclimation; name the hardiness zone or tested minimum.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated