Pronunciation: [tˈʌfə] (IPA) 
The word "tougher" is spelled with the "ou" phoneme, which represents the sound /ʌ/, followed by the "gh" combination, which is silent in this case. Lastly, the final sound is represented by the letter "er", which indicates the schwa vowel /ə/. Therefore, the IPA transcription of "tougher" is /ˈtʌfər/. This word means more difficult or challenging, and it can also refer to someone who is more resilient or strong-willed.
Tougher is an adjective that describes someone or something with increased resilience, strength, or difficult qualities. When used to describe a person, it refers to someone with a rugged or durable nature, both physically and mentally. They possess the ability to withstand challenging circumstances or situations, showing resilience and determination.
In the context of objects or materials, tougher suggests enhanced durability or resistance to damage. It indicates an increased strength or sturdiness compared to a typical or ordinary item of its kind. For example, a tougher fabric may be more resistant to tearing or wear and tear, while a tougher material could endure higher temperatures or withstand greater forces.
When used in a figurative sense, tougher can imply a greater level of difficulty or severity. It may refer to a task, challenge, or problem that requires more strength, effort, or endurance to overcome. It suggests that the situation at hand is more demanding or formidable than usual.
In summary, tougher describes the state of being stronger, more resilient, or more difficult. Whether referring to individuals, objects, or situations, it implies an increased capacity to withstand obstacles or hardships, emphasizing qualities such as durability, strength, and perseverance.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "tougher" is derived from the adjective "tough".
The etymology of "tough" can be traced back to the Old English word "tōh", which meant "strong" or "tough". This word has Germanic origins and can be linked to the Old High German word "zuht", meaning "strong" or "hard".
Over time, the term "tough" evolved in meaning, referring to something resilient, strong, or difficult to break or bend. The "-er" suffix is commonly added to adjectives to form the comparative degree, turning "tough" into "tougher", indicating a higher degree of toughness.
