Words / B1

HAHDN/ˈhɑːdn/

To harden is to become physically harder, or to become less willing to change: attitudes harden; harden your position. Soften is a common opposite. Hard is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Do not use harden for “study more” — that is work harder. Bin delays hardened public attitudes.

Meaning

To become harder, or to become less willing to change (attitudes harden).

Examples

• “Public attitudes hardened after the third missed bin collection.”
• “The glue hardens in an hour, which is the physical sense.”

Good to know

attitudes / positions harden. Opposite: soften. Physical: glue hardens. Adjective: hard. Not “harden your revision”. Council news.

New