hardiness
HAR-dee-niss
/ˈhɑːr.di.nəs/
The ability to endure difficult conditions; robustness and structural capacity to withstand environmental stress.
In psychology (Maddi & Kobasa), hardiness refers to a personality style involving commitment, control, and challenge that buffers stress.
The story behind the word. From Germanic roots meaning 'hard', Old French developed 'hardi' to describe brave warriors. In English, hardiness evolved into both a botanical term (plants surviving freezing winter) and a psychological trait.
Word relationships
- robustness: Robustness focuses on physical strength and vigor, while hardiness incorporates psychological stress resistance.
- frailty: Frailty indicates weakness and susceptibility to sickness or breakdown.
Commonly confused with
- hardness: Hardness is physical rigidity or lack of empathy, whereas hardiness is vital health and resistance to stress.
Word family
- hardy (adjective): Robust; capable of enduring difficult conditions.
Collocations
- psychological hardiness
- remarkable hardiness
- test the hardiness
- built for hardiness
Idioms & expressions
- built like a brick wall
Example sentences
- "Psychological hardiness helps corporate executives remain healthy under chronic workplace pressure." Psychological health research.
Memory hook
A HARDY plant survives freezing cold; HARDINESS is mental winter resistance. Winter-proof mental strength.
When not to use
Do not confuse with mental calmness; hardiness is robust resistance and vigor.
Fun facts
- Botanists rate plants on a 'hardiness zone map' to measure minimum winter temperatures they can survive.
Related words
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