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coriace

tough

adjective kor-YAHS Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Textures

Also means

leathery

Usage Note

Coriace literally describes meat that is tough and hard to chew, but its figurative use for a person who is resilient and hard to beat (un adversaire coriace — 'a tough opponent') is equally common. The word does not change form for gender (une viande coriace, un négociateur coriace). It is more vivid and informal than dur ('hard') when describing people.

Examples

"Ce steak est vraiment coriace."

Natural Translation

This steak is really tough.

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