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strong

strong

9 8.2
A verb that changes its vowel for the past tense instead of using -ed
  • adjective
  • /strɔŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : verbo fuerte
  • It's not really your strong suit, is it?
  • weak and strong verbs

That's not part of the so-called principal parts or vowel gradations of the strong verb series.

Examples

Compounds

strong suit
  • Informal
30 4.4

A skill or area that a person is very good at

30 3.9

An argument with good evidence and clear reasons that is likely to convince people

23 1.0

A wind that blows very hard and can move things

19 3.4

Something a person does very well

A close connection between people with trust and care

An applicant who has the right skills and is likely to get the job or award

A situation that gives someone more power in talks or competition

A sure feeling that something is true

7 3.4

A deep, lasting connection between people or animals

A fast, powerful flow of water in a river or the sea that pulls people and things away

Coffee with a deep bitter taste that gives more energy

To be able to see or hear unpleasant things without feeling sick

3 3.4

An alcoholic drink that is distilled, like whisky or vodka

3 3.9

A clear argument a lawyer gives in court to show a person is not guilty

strong force
  • Specialized
3 7.3

A force that holds protons and neutrons together inside an atom's nucleus

2 3.4

A person, group, or country that gives strong and reliable help

A strong wind that blows against you and makes moving harder

strong side
  • Jargon
1 3.9

The side of a team with more players or strength

strong breeze
  • Specialized
1 2.2

A wind that is strong enough to move small branches and belongings

strong suit
  • Jargon
1 6.1

A card suit in which a player has many high cards

Gives off a strong smell that you notice quickly

A theorem that says the average of many independent random results almost certainly equals the true average

super-strong
  • Informal
6.4

A person or animal who is much stronger than others

strong antagonist
  • Literature
5.1

A powerful character who opposes the hero and creates major conflict

A firm hold on someone's arm to stop them from moving or control them

strong gale
  • Specialized
6.2

A very strong wind that can topple trees and damage buildings

A very strong feeling that you must do a certain job

strong interaction
  • Specialized
8.9

A force inside atoms that holds protons and neutrons together

strong rootstock
  • Specialized
5.7

A healthy plant that acts as a strong base and resists disease for grafting another plant

strong side
  • Jargon
6.0

The pair that holds most high cards and is likely to win most tricks

The party in a dispute that has more power or resources

The side of the body that is stronger or more coordinated

9.1

The average of many separate random results becomes almost always close to the true average

9.6

A short paragraph early in a news story that clearly tells the main point

Having a strong, solid body build

Having a very powerful taste that you notice right away, like cheese or coffee

A verb that shows powerful, clear action to make writing more lively

strong yer
  • Specialized
9.9

An old short vowel that later becomes a full vowel in modern Slavic languages

9.9

A young person who uses threats or physical force to steal from people

Becomes larger very quickly, often about plants or tumors

Having a very strong smell that you notice easily

Surface Forms

strong positive
stronger comparative
strongest superlative

Etymology

Strong in grammar was used for verbs that make their past by changing the vowel inside instead of adding '-ed', and old teachers called these verbs 'strong' because their change feels more like an inner power. A helpful way to remember is that strong verbs have a strong inner change when they move from present to past.