Quick Definition adjective
Strong means having great physical power or force; not easily broken, damaged, or overcome; or very effective and convincing. It describes people, materials, flavours, arguments, emotions, and much more.
Etymology of Strong
Strong descends from Old English strang, meaning physically powerful, firm, or severe. The Old English form is closely related to Old Norse strangr and Old High German strengi, pointing to a shared Germanic root. Because the word predates the Norman Conquest of 1066, it belongs to the oldest, most fundamental layer of the English vocabulary — which is why it forms so many idiomatic phrases and fixed expressions.
The spelling settled to strong during the Middle English period, when the final -g ceased to be pronounced distinctly. The comparative stronger and superlative strongest follow regular patterns, while the related noun strength and verb strengthen preserve the same root.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level | Usage note |
|---|---|---|
| He is very strong and can carry heavy boxes. | A2 | physical strength of a person |
| You need a strong password for your account. | B1 | effective, hard to break or guess |
| There is strong evidence that exercise improves mental health. | B1 | convincing, hard to dispute |
| The government faced strong opposition to the new policy. | B2 | forceful, difficult to ignore |
| Her argument was so strong that it shifted the entire debate. | C1 | logically compelling; formal register |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| strong coffee | I need a cup of strong coffee to wake up. |
| strong wind | A strong wind knocked over several trees. |
| strong evidence | The prosecution presented strong evidence against him. |
| strong argument | She made a strong argument for reducing class sizes. |
| strong accent | He speaks English with a strong French accent. |
| strong feelings | Many people have strong feelings about this issue. |
| strong language | The film contains strong language and is rated 15. |
| strong performance | The team delivered a strong performance in the final. |
| strong currency | A strong pound makes imports cheaper for British consumers. |
| strong relationship | They have built a strong relationship over many years. |
Usage Notes
How to use strong correctly
- Position: Strong is normally used before a noun (a strong argument) or after a linking verb (The signal is strong). Both positions are equally standard.
- Adverb form: The adverb is strongly. In formal writing, always prefer strongly over strong — for example, I strongly recommend, not I strong recommend.
- Fixed phrases: Several idioms use strong without -ly: going strong (still active and successful), come on strong (be overly forceful or intense), strong point (an area of particular skill).
- Intensifiers: You can strengthen strong with very, extremely, or remarkably. Avoid very strongly when it makes a sentence clumsy — powerfully or emphatically may work better.
- Register: Strong is neutral in register and suits everyday conversation, academic writing, journalism, and professional contexts equally well.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
She speaks English very strong.
She speaks English very strongly. (use the adverb strongly, not the adjective, to modify a verb)
He is a strong person in the sense that he is very strict.
He is a strict person. (strong does not mean strict or harsh — use strict, firm, or severe for that meaning)
The smell was too strong for bare eyes.
The smell was too strong for bare nostrils / The light was too strong for the bare eye. (match the noun to the sense; strong smell affects the nose, not the eyes)
Related Words
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Frequently Asked Questions about “strong”
What does strong mean in English?
Strong is an adjective with several closely related meanings. It can describe physical power ('a strong athlete'), structural solidity ('a strong bridge'), intensity ('a strong smell'), effectiveness ('a strong argument'), or emotional resilience ('a strong character'). The core idea in all uses is that something has a high degree of the quality in question.
What is the adverb form of strong?
The adverb form is 'strongly': 'I strongly disagree.' Note that 'strong' itself is sometimes used informally as an adverb in fixed phrases such as 'going strong' (still functioning well) and 'come on strong' (behave in an overly forceful way), but in formal writing always use 'strongly'.
What is the noun form of strong?
The main noun form is 'strength'. For example: 'Her strength impressed everyone.' The plural 'strengths' is commonly used when listing positive qualities, particularly in interviews or CVs: 'My strengths include problem-solving and communication.'
What is the opposite of strong?
The most common antonym of strong is 'weak'. Depending on context, you might also use 'feeble' (physically weak), 'fragile' (easily broken), 'mild' (not intense, e.g. a mild flavour), 'flimsy' (poorly constructed), or 'unconvincing' (for a weak argument).
What is the difference between strong and powerful?
Strong often describes the inherent capacity of a person, object, or idea to resist force or exert influence. Powerful tends to suggest the ability to produce a large effect or exert control over others. A strong person can lift heavy weights; a powerful person has authority or influence. The two words overlap significantly but powerful often implies impact on the outside world.
How do you use strong in a sentence?
Strong is placed before a noun ('a strong wind', 'a strong opinion') or after a linking verb ('The coffee is very strong'). It combines with many nouns to form common collocations: strong evidence, strong coffee, strong accent, strong currency. Avoid saying 'a strong person' when you mean 'a strict person' — strong does not carry negative connotations the way 'harsh' or 'severe' does.
What are the most common strong collocations?
The most frequent collocations include: strong coffee, strong wind, strong evidence, strong argument, strong accent, strong currency, strong performance, strong language, strong relationship, and strong feelings. Learning these chunks as units will help you sound far more natural in English.
What is the difference between strong language and bad language?
'Strong language' is the polite, formal term used to warn audiences that a piece of media contains offensive or profane words — for example, 'This film contains strong language.' 'Bad language' is a more informal, everyday phrase meaning the same thing. Both refer to swear words or highly offensive expressions.
Where does the word strong come from?
Strong comes from the Old English word 'strang', meaning physically powerful or severe. It is related to Old Norse 'strangr' and German 'streng' (strict, severe). The word has been part of English since before the Norman Conquest, making it one of the oldest and most fundamental adjectives in the language.
How can I practise using strong in English?
Use LexFizz's Flash Cards to test strong alongside its related forms (strongly, strength, strengthen, stronger, strongest). The Complete the Sentence exercise provides collocation practice in context. You can also try writing five original sentences — one for each meaning of strong — to build confident, natural usage.