English Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition harden in British English

harden verb

verb
/ˈhɑː(r)d(ə)n/
1

to become hard or firm, or to make something hard or firm

Example

This additive hardens the cement in an hour.

Example

The bread will harden if you don't cover it.

Synonyms and related words
2

to make someone become less affected or upset by unpleasant things so that they show less kindness or sympathy to other people

Example

Years of reporting on wars hardened them to human suffering.

Synonyms and related words
2.1

if your expression or voice hardens, you begin to look or sound unfriendly

Example

His eyes hardened when he saw her.

Synonyms and related words
3

if you harden your attitude, or if it hardens, you refuse to change it

Example

Forsyth appeared to have hardened his line on (=his attitude towards) Europe.

Definition harden in British English