What does hardihood mean?
Hardihood is a formal noun meaning courage, boldness, or the willingness to act despite danger, opposition, or serious difficulty. It is especially suited to describing someone who takes a risk, confronts a powerful authority, or continues when others might yield. The word can be approving when it emphasizes bravery and determination, as in “the hardihood to speak the truth.” It can also carry a critical implication of recklessness, excessive confidence, or presumption. Hardihood is not a common word in casual conversation, but it remains useful in literary, historical, and formal prose because it conveys a more sustained or conspicuous kind of boldness than courage alone. The plural hardihoods is grammatically standard, though the noun is ordinarily used in the singular.
nounCourage and boldness, especially in the face of danger or difficulty. Depending on context, it can also suggest audacity or presumptuous behavior.
- Courage and boldness, especially in the face of danger, hardship, or opposition.
"It took considerable hardihood to speak out against the unjust treatment."
"Few people had the hardihood to challenge the decision publicly."
"Her hardihood in confronting the corruption earned both admiration and suspicion."
The standard plural is hardihoods, although singular use is much more common.
"Accounts of the different hardihoods of the resistance leaders emphasize their willingness to act despite overwhelming danger."
Hardihood is the kind of courage that walks toward a challenge with its chin out.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hardihood come from?
Hardihood was formed in English in the early 15th century from hardy and the noun-forming suffix -hood. The adjective hardy came through Old French hardi, meaning “bold” or “brave,” while -hood forms nouns denoting a state, quality, or condition. The same base is represented in English by hardy and hardiness, while hardihead is an older variant of hardihood.
How hardihood is actually used
Formal and literary rather than everyday. It often sounds somewhat old-fashioned, and its neutral sense of courage can shade into criticism when it describes reckless or presumptuous conduct.
Easily confused with hardihood
Hardihood means courage or boldness of character, whereas hardiness means physical robustness or the ability to withstand harsh conditions.