strong S1 W1 / strɒŋ $ strɒŋ / 形容词 ( comparative stronger , superlative strongest )

1 able to lift heavy things/do hard work having a lot of physical power so that you can lift heavy things, do hard physical work etc :

He was a big strong man.

Jack was tall and strong.

strong hands/arms/muscles etc

He picked her up in his big strong arms.

I’m not strong enough to fight him. → see Thesaurus box on p. 1752

2 not easily broken or damaged not easily broken or damaged :

good strong shoes

The locks on the doors were solid and strong.

3 able to deal with difficulty determined and able to deal with a difficult or upsetting situation :

I’m not strong enough to take insults and hatred.

Laura had a strong character.

4 powerful having a lot of power or influence :

The Fifth French Republic was established with a strong president in 1958.

a strong national army

Our party is the strongest as we come up to the election.

5 feelings/opinions strong emotions, opinions, beliefs etc are ones that you feel or believe a lot and are very serious about :

He had a strong sense of responsibility to his vocation of preaching.

There has been strong support for the strike.

The proposal has met with strong opposition from local people.

strong feelings/views/opinions

Many people have strong feelings about the issue.

6 affect/influence a strong desire, influence etc affects you very much :

He had a strong desire for power.

Such feelings may have a strong influence over your decisions.

The temptation is very strong.

7 relationship a strong relationship, friendship etc is very loyal and likely to last a long time :

He maintained strong links with the world of the deaf.

She still has a strong relationship with her mother.

I have a strong commitment to the quality of teaching.

8 argument/reason etc likely to persuade other people that something is true or the correct thing to do :

There is a strong case for an energy conservation programme.

They need strong evidence to secure a conviction.

a strong argument

9 likely likely to succeed or happen :

She’s a strong candidate for the party leadership.

strong possibility/chance/probability

A year ago, there was a strong possibility that he wouldn’t live.

10 healthy healthy, especially after you have been ill :

I don’t think her heart is very strong.

You’ve been blessed with a strong constitution (= you are healthy and do not easily become ill ) .

11 be in a strong position ( also gain a strong position ) to be in a situation where you have power over other people or are likely to get what you want :

The company have gained a strong position in the cheese market.

12 strong wind/current/tide wind, water etc that moves with great force :

A strong wind was blowing across the lake.

13 good at something very good at something :

His writing was strong on description.

We beat a team that was much stronger than ourselves.

be sb’s strong point/suit (= the thing that someone is especially good at )

Tact never was my strong point.

14 taste/smell having a taste or smell that you notice easily :

strong coffee

This cheese has a very strong flavour.

a strong smell of petrol

15 alcohol/drugs etc having a lot of a substance, such as alcohol, that gives something its effect :

extra strong beer

strong painkillers

I haven’t touched strong drink (= alcoholic drinks ) for years.

16 light/colour bright and easy to see :

The light was not very strong.

17 strong language speech or writing that contains a lot of swearing :

This film is not suitable for children under 12 as it contains strong language.

18 strong accent the way that someone 代词 ces words that shows clearly that they come from a particular area or country :

a strong German accent

19 strong nose/chin/features a nose etc that is large and noticeable, especially in an attractive way :

She has the same strong features as her mother.

20 money a strong currency (= the type of money used in a country ) does not easily lose its value compared with other currencies

21 600/10,000 etc strong [ only after number ] used to give the number of people in a crowd or organization :

the company’s 2,200 strong workforce

The crowd was 10,000 strong.

22 be going strong to continue to be active or successful, even after a long time :

He celebrated his ninetieth birthday this month, and he’s still going strong .

→ come on strong at come on ( 10 )

COLLOCATIONS

名词

strong views/opinions/ideas She has strong views on education.

a strong feeling I have a lot of strong feelings on the issue.

a strong belief We have a strong belief that everyone has the right to worship freely.

a strong sense of something There is a strong sense of community here.

strong support The idea won strong support in rural areas.

strong opposition There had been strong opposition to the scheme from the national park authority.

a strong interest in something At 16, he developed a strong interest in archaeology.

a strong commitment to something Since its establishment in 1945 the College has had a strong commitment to research.

a strong desire for something/to do something People have a strong desire for personal independence.

a strong influence The experience of living there had a strong influence on me.

a strong impression She made a strong impression on me.

a strong temptation There’s always a strong temptation to put off doing difficult tasks.

THESAURUS

having a strong body

strong having a lot of physical strength : It took four strong men to lift the piano. | You open it – you’re stronger than I am.

powerful very strong – used about someone’s body, arms, muscles etc : his big powerful shoulders | He was a tall man with a powerful physique.

muscular having big muscles and looking strong : She liked men who were big and muscular. | He had a firm muscular body.

well-built a well-built man is strong and tall and has a big body : Police say the man they are looking for is 36 years old, 6 feet tall, and well-built.

hunky informal strong and attractive : She married hunky Hollywood star Brad Pitt. | He looks hunky, but he’s not really my type.

not easily broken or damaged

strong not easily broken or damaged : The bags are made of strong black plastic. | We need a strong rope for this job.

tough strong – used especially about something that can be used a lot without damaging it or making it weaker : a pair of tough leather boots | Kitchen floors need to be tough enough to withstand heavy use.

heavy-duty [仅用于名词前] extremely strong – used about materials, tools, machines etc that are made especially to be used a lot without being easily damaged : heavy-duty rubber gloves | a heavy-duty carpet for the hallway

sturdy strong and often thick, and not likely to fall over or get broken : a fence made with sturdy wooden posts | The furniture is simple but sturdy.

unbreakable extremely strong and impossible to break : Babies need to have unbreakable dishes and cups.

indestructible impossible to break, damage, or destroy, and lasting forever : Gold is virtually indestructible. | The pyramids were built as indestructible tombs for the Pharaohs.

hard-wearing British English , long-wearing American English used about materials and products that will remain in good condition for a long time even when they are used a lot : Ceramic tiles are easy to keep clean and hard-wearing. | a hard-wearing fabric

durable especially written used about materials and products that will remain in good condition for a long time – often used on product labels : The jacket has a durable nylon lining. | Varnish is more durable than paint.

robust especially written strongly made – used especially about the structure of something, for example a vehicle or machine : a mountain bike with a robust frame | The hardware for the computer must be robust and inexpensive.