Standard Lemma guide

hard-nosed

adj · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Guided by practical experience and observation rather than by theory.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Hardheaded, stubborn.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Tough and relentlessly practical and thus not given to sentiment.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adjective satellite

Meaning 4

guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a hardheaded appraisal of our position
  • a hard-nosed labor leader
  • completely practical in his approach to business
  • not ideology but pragmatic politics

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hardheaded, practical, pragmatic

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

hard + nosed; originally referred to hard-tipped bullets.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: realistisch — pragmatic
  • French: pragmatique — pragmatic
  • German: pragmatisch — pragmatic
  • Italian: pragmatico — pragmatic
  • Portuguese: pragmático — pragmatic
  • Spanish: pragmático — pragmatic
  • Dutch: halsstarrig — stubborn
  • Japanese: 抜け目ない — stubborn
  • Japanese: 頑固な — stubborn
  • Māori: taikaha — stubborn
  • Māori: tūkaha — stubborn
  • Portuguese: teimoso — stubborn
  • Portuguese: teimosa — stubborn