Tought vs. Tough — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 30, 2024
"Tought" is an incorrect spelling of the word "tough," which describes something hard to break, tear, or manage.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Tought or Tough
How to spell Tough?
Tought
Incorrect Spelling
Tough
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
"Tough" rhymes with "cough."
Think of the word "enough." It ends with "ough," just like "tough."
Remember "tought" sounds like "taught," which is past tense of "teach."
Memorize: "Tough is enough, without an extra 't'."
Use spell-check tools or dictionaries to confirm.
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How Do You Spell Tough Correctly?
Incorrect: Making the decision was tought, but ultimately it was the right one.
Correct: Making the decision was tough, but ultimately it was the right one.
Incorrect: The leather jacket is really tought and can withstand harsh weather.
Correct: The leather jacket is really tough and can withstand harsh weather.
Tough Definitions
Resilient or strong material or nature.
The leather jacket is very tough.
Challenging to carry out or accomplish.
It's a tough task ahead.
(of a substance or object) strong enough to withstand adverse conditions or rough handling
Tough rucksacks for climbers
Able to endure hardship or pain
She was as tough as old boots
Demonstrating a strict and uncompromising approach
Police have been getting tough with drivers
Tough new laws on tobacco advertising
Strong and prone to violence
Tough young teenagers
A rough and violent man
A gang of toughs
Endure a period of hardship or difficulty.
Able to withstand great strain without tearing or breaking; strong and resilient
A tough all-weather fabric.
Hard to cut or chew
Tough meat.
Physically hardy; rugged
Tough mountaineers.
A tough cop.
Strong-minded; resolute
A tough negotiator.
Aggressive; pugnacious.
Inclined to violent or disruptive behavior; rowdy or rough
A tough street group.
Difficult to endure; severe; harsh
A tough winter.
Trying or unpleasant
Had a tough day.
Difficult to deal with; demanding or troubling
It's tough to go to school and work a full-time job. The exam had many tough questions.
(Informal) Unfortunate; too bad
It was a tough break to get sick on the day of the concert.
(Slang) Fine; great.
A violent or rowdy person; a hoodlum or thug.
(of a material) Strong and resilient; sturdy.
The tent, made of tough canvas, held up to many abuses.
(of food) Difficult to cut or chew.
To soften a tough cut of meat, the recipe suggested simmering it for hours.
(of a person or animal) Rugged or physically hardy.
Only a tough species will survive in the desert.
(of a person) Stubborn or persistent; capable of stubbornness or persistence.
He had a reputation as a tough negotiator.
(of weather, etc.) Harsh or severe.
Rowdy or rough.
A bunch of the tough boys from the wrong side of the tracks threatened him.
(of questions, etc.) Difficult or demanding.
This is a tough crowd.
(material science) Undergoing plastic deformation before breaking.
(slang) Used to indicate lack of sympathy
If you don't like it, tough!
A person who obtains things by force; a thug or bully.
They were doing fine until they encountered a bunch of toughs from the opposition.
To endure.
To toughen.
Having the quality of flexibility without brittleness; yielding to force without breaking; capable of resisting great strain; as, the ligaments of animals are remarkably tough.
Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; - of objects and people; as, tough sinews.
A body made of brass, the crone demands, . . . Tough to the last, and with no toil to tire.
The basis of his character was caution combined with tough tenacity of purpose.
Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as, tough phlegm.
Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, a tough bow.
So tough a frame she could not bend.
Severe; violent; as, a tough storm.
Difficult to do, perform, or accomplish; as, a tough job.
Prone to aggressive or violent behavior; rowdyish; - of people, or groups; as, a tough neighborhood; a tough character.
A person who is tough{7}; a ruffian; a thug; as, a cluster of neighborhood toughs hanging out on the corner.
Someone who learned to fight in the streets rather than being formally trained in the sport of boxing
An aggressive and violent young criminal
A cruel and brutal fellow
Not given to gentleness or sentimentality;
A tough character
Very difficult; severely testing stamina or resolution;
A rugged competitive examination
The rugged conditions of frontier life
The competition was tough
It's a tough life
It was a tough job
Physically toughened;
The tough bottoms of his feet
Substantially made or constructed;
Sturdy steel shelves
Sturdy canvas
A tough all-weather fabric
Some plastics are as tough as metal
Violent and lawless;
The more ruffianly element
Tough street gangs
Feeling physical discomfort or pain (`tough' is occasionally used colloquially for `bad');
My throat feels bad
She felt bad all over
He was feeling tough after a restless night
Tough to cut or chew
Unfortunate or hard to bear;
Had hard luck
A tough break
Difficult to endure or face.
The exam was particularly tough.
Strict or hard to please.
The coach is tough but fair.
Rough or aggressive.
He acts tough, but he's kind-hearted.
Tough Meaning in a Sentence
The meat was so tough, it was almost impossible to chew.
The new job has been tough, requiring long hours and intense focus.
She's been through a lot, but she's a tough person who can handle adversity.
The coach gave the players a tough talk after the loss.
Life in the wilderness requires a tough attitude and resilience.
That was a tough workout, but I feel great now that it's done.
She faced some tough questions during the interview.
This toy is tough enough to endure rough play from children.
He's known for his tough exterior, but he's really kind-hearted.
The team faced a tough opponent in the championship game.
Getting up early for practice every day is tough, but it pays off.
It's tough to find a good balance between work and personal life.
He has a reputation for being tough in negotiations.
The materials used in this construction are tough and durable.
The hike was tough, with steep inclines and rough terrain.
Finding a solution to this problem has been a tough challenge.
She's tough on herself when it comes to meeting her goals.
It's tough to say goodbye to friends when moving to a new city.
It's tough to learn a new language, but it's very rewarding.
These plants are tough; they can survive in very dry conditions.
The team's tough defense was key to their victory.
The exam was really tough, covering a wide range of topics.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of Tough?
"Tough" is primarily an adjective and doesn't have a standard verb form.
What is the root word of Tough?
The Old English root is "tōh."
Which vowel is used before Tough?
The vowel "o" is used before "ugh" in "tough."
What is the plural form of Tough?
Adjectives in English do not typically have plural forms.
Which preposition is used with Tough?
Prepositions like "on," "for," or "with" can be used depending on the context, e.g., "tough on crime."
Why is it called Tough?
Derived from Old English "tōh," which means tenacious in texture.
What is the pronunciation of Tough?
It's pronounced as /tʌf/.
Which conjunction is used with Tough?
There's no specific conjunction exclusively used with "tough."
What is the singular form of Tough?
"Tough" itself is singular.
Is Tough a noun or adjective?
"Tough" is primarily an adjective.
Is Tough a negative or positive word?
It can be either, depending on context.
Is Tough a collective noun?
No, it isn't.
Is the Tough term a metaphor?
Not by itself, but can be used metaphorically, e.g., "a tough nut to crack."
Which article is used with Tough?
Both "a" and "the" can be used, depending on the sentence, e.g., "a tough decision" or "the tough exterior."
Which determiner is used with Tough?
Determiners like "this," "that," or "the" can be used.
What is the third form of Tough?
N/A, as "tough" is an adjective.
Is Tough a vowel or consonant?
"Tough" is a word containing both vowels and consonants.
Is Tough a countable noun?
"Tough" is not primarily a noun.
Is the word Tough imperative?
No, "tough" is an adjective.
What is another term for Tough?
Another term could be "durable."
What is the opposite of Tough?
The opposite might be "fragile" or "easy," depending on context.
What is the first form of Tough?
"Tough" is an adjective and doesn't have verb forms.
What is the second form of Tough?
N/A, as "tough" is an adjective.
How is Tough used in a sentence?
Life can sometimes present tough challenges to overcome.
Is Tough an adverb?
No, "tough" is not an adverb.
What part of speech is Tough?
It is an adjective.
Is Tough an abstract noun?
No, it describes tangible attributes.
How many syllables are in Tough?
One syllable.
How do we divide Tough into syllables?
Tough is one syllable, so it doesn't divide.
What is a stressed syllable in Tough?
The entire word "tough" is stressed.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
