What does targed mean?
Targed is chiefly a Scottish word meaning tough, hardy, robust, or energetic. It is especially associated with people whose physical endurance or strength has been tested: a targed walker may be capable of covering rough distances, while a targed wrestler or labourer is physically hardy and resilient. The word can also describe something made tough or hard, as in a hide or piece of metal that has been worked until it becomes firm. Grammatically, targed serves as a Scottish adjective and as the past tense and past participle of the verb targ, meaning to toughen or become hard. Outside Scottish and northern British dialect contexts, it is uncommon and may sound archaic. Although its basic sense is readily understood, the word retains a distinctly regional character that makes it more evocative than the general English word tough.
Chiefly Scottish: tough, hardy, robust, or energetic.
"Despite her age, she remained a targed and determined competitor."
Chiefly Scottish and northern British dialect usage; uncommon in standard modern English.
To make or become tough or hard; to toughen.
"Repeated hammering targed the metal into a durable plate."
This is the past tense and past participle of the chiefly Scottish verb targ.
A distinctly Scottish word for someone as hardy as old boots.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does targed come from?
Targed is formed within Scots from the dialect base targ, which can mean tough, hardy, or vigorous and also supplies the verb meaning to toughen or become hard. It is a regional Scots formation rather than a standard English one, and its precise ultimate source should not be stated more confidently than the available evidence permits.
Related word forms
How targed is actually used
This is chiefly a Scottish dialect word and is not part of standard modern English. It may sound antiquated or broadly northern British to speakers unfamiliar with Scots usage.
Easily confused with targed
Targed means tough, hardy, or toughened in the Scottish sense, whereas targeted means deliberately aimed at a particular person, group, or objective.