adj. & adv.
adj. (stronger; strongest) 1 having the power of resistance; able to withstand great force or opposition; not easily damaged or overcome (strong material; strong faith; a strong character). 2 (of a person's constitution) able to overcome, or not liable to, disease. 3 (of a person's nerves) proof against fright, irritation, etc. 4 (of a patient) restored to health. 5 (of a market) having steadily high or rising prices. 6 capable of exerting great force or of doing much; muscular, powerful. 7 forceful or powerful in effect (a strong wind; a strong protest). 8 decided or firmly held (a strong suspicion; strong views). 9 (of an argument etc.) convincing or striking. 10 powerfully affecting the senses or emotions (a strong light; strong acting). 11 powerful in terms of size or numbers or quality (a strong army). 12 capable of doing much when united (a strong combination). 13 formidable; likely to succeed (a strong candidate). 14 (of a solution or drink etc.) containing a large proportion of a substance in water or another solvent (strong tea). 15 Chem. (of an acid or base) fully ionized into cations and anions in aqueous solution. 16 (of a group) having a specified number (200 strong). 17 (of a voice) loud or penetrating. 18 (of food or its flavour) pungent. 19 (of a person's breath) ill-smelling. 20 (of a literary style) vivid and terse. 21 (of a measure) drastic. 22 Gram. in Germanic languages: a (of a verb) forming inflections by change of vowel within the stem rather than by the addition of a suffix (e.g. swim, swam). b (of a noun or adjective) belonging to a declension in which the stem originally ended otherwise than in -n (opp. WEAK 9).
adv. strongly (the tide is running strong). come it strong colloq. go to great lengths; use exaggeration. going strong colloq. continuing action vigorously; in good health or trim. strong-arm using force (strong-arm tactics). strong drink see DRINK. strong grade the stressed ablaut-form. strong interaction Physics interaction between certain elementary particles that is very strong but is effective only at short distances. strong language forceful language; swearing. strong meat a doctrine or action acceptable only to vigorous or instructed minds. strong-minded having determination. strong-mindedness determination. strong point 1 a thing at which one excels. 2 a specially fortified defensive position. strong stomach a stomach not easily affected by nausea. strong suit 1 a suit at cards in which one can take tricks. 2 a thing at which one excels. strongish adj. strongly adv.
[ OE f. Gmc: cf. STRING ]