having strength or power greater than average or expected
"a strong radio signal"
"strong medicine"
"a strong man"
immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
"an impregnable fortress"
"fortifications that made the frontier inviolable"
"a secure telephone connection"
of good quality and condition; solidly built
"a solid foundation"
"several substantial timber buildings"
Capable of producing great physical force.
"The strong athlete lifted the heavy barbell above his head without any help from a spotter."
In plain English: Strong means having a lot of physical power or being very firm and solid.
"The strong wind blew the leaves off the trees."
Usage: Use "strong" to describe people, animals, or objects that possess significant physical power or can withstand heavy pressure without breaking. Avoid using it metaphorically for abstract qualities like character unless the specific context clearly implies a comparison to physical strength.
In a strong manner.
"He lifted the heavy box with such strength that he didn't even strain his back."
In plain English: Strong means doing something with great force or intensity.
"She sang strong."
Usage: Use "strong" only when modifying verbs like "hold," "support," or "smell" to mean with great force or intensity. Do not use it before adjectives like "good" or nouns, as those require the word "well" or specific adjectives instead.
A surname.
"The Strong family has lived on that hillside for three generations."
The word "strong" comes from Old English strang, originally meaning severe or strict before evolving to describe physical power. It ultimately traces back to a root in Proto-Indo-European that meant taut or stiff.