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strong

strong

7 8.2
A verb that changes its vowel for the past tense instead of using -ed
  • adjective
  • /strɔŋ/
  • Specialized
: 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

37 3.9

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

strong suit
  • Informal
37 4.4

A skill or area that a person is very good at

34 1.0

A wind that blows very hard and can move things

21 3.4

Something a person does very well

A situation that gives someone more power in talks or competition

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

13 3.6

A sure feeling that something is true

13 3.4

A deep, lasting connection between people or animals

9 3.4

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

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

Gives off a strong smell that you notice quickly

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

strong force
  • Specialized
4 7.3

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

4 3.4

An alcoholic drink that is distilled, like whisky or vodka

3 5.1

Having a strong, solid body build

Having a very strong smell that you notice easily

A strong wind that blows against you and makes moving harder

1 3.9

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

strong side
  • Jargon
1 3.9

The side of a team with more players or strength

1 3.5

The side of the body that is stronger or more coordinated

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

strong breeze
  • Specialized
1 2.2

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

Becomes larger very quickly, often about plants or tumors

strong interaction
  • Specialized
1 8.9

A force inside atoms that holds protons and neutrons together

1 5.7

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

1 4.4

The party in a dispute that has more power or resources

strong gale
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A very strong wind that can topple trees and damage buildings

A very strong feeling that you must do a certain job

1 9.9

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

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 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

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

strong suit
  • Jargon
6.1

A card suit in which a player has many high cards

strong yer
  • Specialized
9.9

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

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.