3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A tough place or area is considered to have a lot of crime and violence. □ She doesn't seem cut out for this tough neighbourhood.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A tough way of life or period of time is difficult or full of suffering. □ He was having a really tough time at work.
5 ADJ [ADJ to-inf] A tough task or problem is difficult to do or solve. □ It was a very tough decision but we feel we made the right one.
6 ADJ Tough policies or actions are strict and firm. □ He is known for taking a tough line on security.
7 ADJ A tough substance is strong, and difficult to break, cut, or tear. □ In industry, diamond can form a tough, non-corrosive coating for tools.
8 ADJ Tough meat is difficult to cut and chew. □ The steak was tough and the peas were like bullets.
9 PHRASE If someone who is trying to achieve something hangs tough , they remain determined and do not give up, even when there are difficulties or problems. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ The White House is hanging tough for a good agreement to be reached.
tou gh coo kie (tough cookies ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a tough cookie , you mean that they are unemotional and are not easily hurt by what people say or do.
tough|en /tʌ f ə n/ (toughens , toughening , toughened )
1 VERB If you toughen something or if it toughens , you make it stronger so that it will not break easily. □ [V n] Do not add salt to beans when cooking as this tends to toughen the skins. [Also V ]
2 VERB If a person, institution, or law toughens its policies, regulations, or punishments, it makes them firmer or stricter. □ [V n] Talks are under way to toughen trade restrictions. ● PHRASAL VERB Toughen up means the same as toughen . □ [V P n] The new law toughens up penalties for those that misuse guns. [Also V n P ]
3 VERB If an experience toughens you, it makes you stronger and more independent in character. □ [V n] They believe that participating in fights toughens boys and shows them how to be men. ● PHRASAL VERB Toughen up means the same as toughen . □ [V n P ] He thinks boxing is good for kids, that it toughens them up. □ [V P ] My father tried to teach me to toughen up. [Also V P n (not pron)]
tou gh lo ve N‑UNCOUNT Tough love is the practice of being very strict with someone in order to help them overcome a problem with their behaviour. □ The warden runs the prison with his personal brand of tough love.
tou|pee /tuː pe I , [AM ] tuːpe I / (toupees ) N‑COUNT A toupee is a piece of artificial hair worn by a man to cover a patch on his head where he has lost his hair.
tour ◆◆◇ /tʊə r / (tours , touring , toured )
1 N‑COUNT A tour is an organized trip that people such as musicians, politicians, or theatre companies go on to several different places, stopping to meet people or perform. □ The band are currently on a two-month tour of Europe. □ …a presidential campaign tour in Illinois. ● PHRASE When people are travelling on a tour, you can say that they are on tour . □ The band will be going on tour.
2 VERB When people such as musicians, politicians, or theatre companies tour , they go on a tour, for example in order to perform or to meet people. □ [V n] A few years ago they toured the country in a roadshow. □ [V ] He toured for nearly two years and played 500 sell-out shows.
3 N‑COUNT A tour is a journey during which you visit several places that interest you. □ [+ of ] It was week five of my tour of the major cities of Europe.
4 N‑COUNT A tour is a short trip that you make round a place, for example round a historical building, so that you can look at it. □ [+ of ] …a guided tour of a ruined Scottish castle.
5 VERB If you tour a place, you go on a journey or trip round it. □ [V n] You can also tour the site on modern coaches equipped with air conditioning.
tour de force /tʊə r də fɔː r s/ (tours de force ) also tour-de-force N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you call something such as a performance, speech, or production a tour de force , you are emphasizing that it is extremely good or extremely well done or made. [EMPHASIS ] □ Stevenson's deeply felt performance is a tour-de-force.
Tourette's syn|drome /tʊə r e ts s I ndroʊm/ or Tourette syndrome , Tourette's N‑UNCOUNT Tourette's syndrome is a brain disorder that causes the sufferer to make sudden uncontrolled movements and sometimes swear and spit. □ …a Tourette's sufferer
tour|ism ◆◇◇ /tʊə r I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Tourism is the business of providing services for people on holiday, for example hotels, restaurants, and trips.
tour|ist ◆◇◇ /tʊə r I st/ (tourists ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A tourist is a person who is visiting a place for pleasure and interest, especially when they are on holiday. □ …foreign tourists. □ It is a top tourist attraction that is visited by thousands of people each day. SYNONYMS tourist NOUN
traveller: Many air travellers suffer puffy ankles and feet during long flights.
sightseer: …coachloads of sightseers.
globetrotter: He's a bit of a globetrotter.
tour|isty /tʊə r I sti/ ADJ If you describe a place as touristy , you do not like it because it is full of tourists or full of things for tourists to buy and do. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Visit some of the less touristy islands.
tour|na|ment ◆◇◇ /tʊə r nəmənt/ (tournaments ) N‑COUNT A tournament is a sports competition in which players who win a match continue to play further matches in the competition until just one person or team is left. SYNONYMS tournament NOUN