Someone or something that is robust is very strong or healthy.
More women than men go to the doctor. Perhaps men are more robust or worry less?
We've always specialised in making very robust, simply designed machinery.
robustlyadverb
He became robustly healthy.
robustnessuncountable noun
...the robustness of diesel engines. [+ of]
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Robust views or opinions are strongly held and forcefully expressed.
A British Foreign Office minister has made a robust defence of the agreement.
He has the keen eye and robust approach needed.
robustlyadverb
In the decisions we have to make about Europe, we have to defend our position veryrobustly indeed.
robustnessuncountable noun
...a prominent industrialist renowned for the robustness of his right-wing views. [+ of]
More Synonyms of robust
robust in British English
(rəʊˈbʌst, ˈrəʊbʌst)
adjective
1.
strong in constitution; hardy; vigorous
2.
sturdily built
a robust shelter
3.
requiring or suited to physical strength
a robust sport
4.
(esp of wines) having a rich full-bodied flavour
5.
rough or boisterous
6.
(of thought, intellect, etc) straightforward and imbued with common sense
Derived forms
robustly (roˈbustly)
adverb
Word origin
C16: from Latin rōbustus, from rōbur an oak, strength
robust in American English
(roʊˈbʌst; ˈroʊˌbʌst)
adjective
1.
a.
strong and healthy; full of vigor; hardy
b.
strongly built or based; muscular or sturdy
2.
suited to or requiring physical strength or stamina
robust work
3.
rough; coarse; boisterous
4.
full and rich, as in flavor
a robust port wine
Derived forms
robustly (roˈbustly)
adverb
robustness (roˈbustness)
noun
Word origin
L robustus, oaken, hard, strong < robur, hard variety of oak, hardness, strength, earlier robus, prob. akin to ruber, red
Examples of 'robust' in a sentence
robust
How do you make people robust?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It can easily be overpowered and is best paired with subtle, light ingredients that can provide relief from the robust and powerful flavours of autumn.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Britain's robust performance means the economy heads into 2017 on solid ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Members will encourage more schools to embrace a rigorous curriculum, including regular testing, longer school days and a robust approach to behaviour.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Nor does the book offer a fresh and robust defence of academic freedom.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
Their slightly nutty taste works with the more robust flavours of beetroot and horseradish.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Sadly this culture became less robust in the decades that followed.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They agreed to make more robust credit checks to ensure consumers can afford loans.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This relatively robust performance is down to the spread of the business.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This in turn required a more robust approach to wind turbine assessments.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
That might not matter too much if our domestic economy were in robust good health.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The advantage of this is you can add more robust flavours to the cooking.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
No obligation to get coverage and a less robust safety net for the working poor.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Now he is finalising a new theory explaining how countries can make themselves more robust.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We have hit one snag after another but he is here now and he looked strong and robust.
The Sun (2009)
Under these circumstances the fairly robust performance of the economy this year could augur badly for the future.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They also give you robust flavours and are ready for picking to spice up a hearty winter roast.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The reason for that is they will not take action until they are absolutely certain they are on robust and strong ground.
The Sun (2012)
Putting solid compliance systems in place is an important part of showing how serious and robust our approach is to these issues.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
His'small thin ears denote a less robust constitution.
The Sun (2008)
Thirdly, the global economy is in robust shape.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If you reached the age of 35 in those gruelling years you were reckoned to have an unusually robust constitution.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He's really robust and hardy.
The Sun (2015)
He may also be asked to apologise to the Commons for his behaviour but will launch a robust defence of his conduct.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They want robust and straightforward English votes for English laws.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Verdict: A robust and straightforward action hero.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
robust
British English: robust ADJECTIVE
Someone or something that is robust is very strong or healthy.
He was always the robust one, physically strong and mentally sharp.
American English: robust
Brazilian Portuguese: robusto
Chinese: 健壮的
European Spanish: robusto
French: robuste
German: robust
Italian: robusto
Japanese: 頑健な
Korean: 건장한
European Portuguese: robusto
Latin American Spanish: robusto
Chinese translation of 'robust'
robust
(rəuˈbʌst)
adj
[person]强(強)健的 (qiángjiàn de)
[object, machine]结(結)实(實)的 (jiēshi de)
[appetite, health, economy]旺盛的 (wàngshèng de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
sturdily built
His robust physique counts for much in the modern game.
Synonyms
strong
I'm not strong enough to carry him.
tough
tough leather boots and trousers
powerful
a big, powerful man
athletic
She was tall, with an athletic build.
well
I hope you're well.
sound
His body was still sound.
fit
It will take a very fit person to beat me.
healthy
She had a normal pregnancy and delivered a healthy child.
strapping
He was a bricklayer - a big, strapping fellow.
hardy
They grew up to be farmers, round-faced and hardy.
rude
vigorous
He was a vigorous, handsome young man.
rugged (US, Canadian)
He's rugged and durable, but not the best technical boxer.
muscular
tanned muscular legs
swole (slang)
tanned muscular legs
hench (informal)
tanned muscular legs
sturdy
She was a short, sturdy woman in her early sixties.
hale (old-fashioned)
looking hale and hearty
stout
a great stout fellow, big in brawn and bone
staunch
hearty
She was still hearty and strong when she turned 80.
husky (informal)
a very husky young man, built like a football player
in good health
lusty
his lusty singing in the open park
alive and kicking
fighting fit
sinewy
a short, sinewy young man
brawny
Oscar turned out to be a brawny young man.
in fine fettle
thickset
his stout, thickset figure
fit as a fiddle (informal)
able-bodied
All able-bodied men between eighteen and forty had been drafted.
Opposites
weak
,
delicate
,
slender
,
frail
,
unfit
,
feeble
,
unhealthy
,
sickly
,
hothouse (informal, often derogatory)
,
weedy (informal)
,
unsound
,
infirm
,
wussy (slang)
,
wimpish or wimpy (informal)
2 (adjective)
a robust sense of humour
Synonyms
rough
He was rough and common.
raw
two ships carrying raw sugar
rude
He made a rude gesture with his finger.
coarse
They don't know how to behave, and are coarse and insulting.
raunchy (informal)
a raunchy movie
earthy
Denise was a warm, earthy woman with a lively spirit.
boisterous
rollicking
unsubtle
indecorous
roisterous
Opposites
refined
3 (adjective)
the local police's robust attitude to troublemakers
Synonyms
straightforward
practical
She is always so practical and full of common sense.
sensible
She was a sensible girl and did not panic.
realistic
a realistic view of what we can afford
pragmatic
a pragmatic approach to the problems faced by Latin America
down-to-earth
She's the most down-to-earth person I've met.
hard-headed
a hard-headed and shrewd businesswoman
common-sensical
Additional synonyms
in the sense of able-bodied
Definition
strong and healthy
All able-bodied men between eighteen and forty had been drafted.
Synonyms
strong,
firm,
sound,
fit,
powerful,
healthy,
strapping,
hardy,
robust,
vigorous,
sturdy,
hale (old-fashioned),
stout,
staunch,
hearty,
lusty,
right as rain (British, informal),
tough,
capable,
sturdy,
Herculean,
fighting fit,
sinewy,
fit as a fiddle
in the sense of athletic
Definition
physically fit or strong
She was tall, with an athletic build.
Synonyms
fit,
strong,
powerful,
healthy,
active,
trim,
strapping,
robust,
vigorous,
energetic,
muscular,
swole (slang),
hench (informal),
two-fisted,
sturdy,
husky (informal),
lusty,
herculean,
sinewy,
brawny,
able-bodied,
well-proportioned
in the sense of brawny
Oscar turned out to be a brawny young man.
Synonyms
muscular,
strong,
powerful,
athletic,
strapping,
hardy,
robust,
vigorous,
hefty (informal),
sturdy,
stalwart,
bulky,
burly,
husky (informal),
fleshy,
beefy (informal),
lusty,
well-built,
sinewy,
thickset,
well-knit,
thewy
Synonyms of 'robust'
robust
Explore 'robust' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of coarse
Definition
unrefined or indecent
They don't know how to behave, and are coarse and insulting.
Synonyms
loutish,
rough,
brutish,
boorish,
uncivil
in the sense of down-to-earth
Definition
sensible or practical
She's the most down-to-earth person I've met.
Synonyms
sensible,
practical,
realistic,
common-sense,
matter-of-fact,
sane,
no-nonsense,
hard-headed,
unsentimental,
plain-spoken,
grounded
in the sense of earthy
Definition
open and direct in the treatment of sex, excretion, etc.
Denise was a warm, earthy woman with a lively spirit.
Synonyms
direct,
simple,
natural,
plain,
rough,
straightforward,
robust,
down-to-earth,
frank,
uninhibited,
unsophisticated,
unrefined
in the sense of fit
Definition
in good health
It will take a very fit person to beat me.
Synonyms
healthy,
strong,
robust,
sturdy,
well,
trim,
strapping,
hale (old-fashioned),
in good shape,
in good condition,
in good health,
toned up,
as right as rain,
in good trim,
able-bodied
in the sense of hale
Definition
healthy and robust
looking hale and hearty
Synonyms
healthy,
well,
strong,
sound,
fit,
flourishing,
blooming,
robust,
vigorous,
hearty,
in the pink,
in fine fettle,
right as rain (British, informal),
able-bodied
in the sense of hard-headed
Definition
tough, realistic, or shrewd, esp. in business
a hard-headed and shrewd businesswoman
Synonyms
shrewd,
tough,
practical,
cool,
sensible,
realistic,
pragmatic,
astute,
hard-boiled (informal),
hard-bitten,
level-headed,
unsentimental,
badass (slang, US)
in the sense of hardy
Definition
able to stand difficult conditions
They grew up to be farmers, round-faced and hardy.
Synonyms
strong,
tough,
robust,
sound,
fit,
healthy,
vigorous,
rugged (US, Canadian),
sturdy,
hale (old-fashioned),
stout,
stalwart,
hearty,
lusty,
in fine fettle
in the sense of healthy
Definition
having or showing good health
She had a normal pregnancy and delivered a healthy child.
Synonyms
well,
sound,
fit,
strong,
active,
flourishing,
hardy,
blooming,
robust,
vigorous,
sturdy,
hale (old-fashioned),
hearty,
in good shape (informal),
in good condition,
in the pink,
alive and kicking,
fighting fit,
in fine form,
in fine fettle,
hale and hearty,
fit as a fiddle (informal),
right as rain (British, informal),
physically fit,
in fine feather
in the sense of hearty
She was still hearty and strong when she turned 80.
Synonyms
healthy,
well,
strong,
sound,
active,
hardy,
robust,
vigorous,
energetic,
hale (old-fashioned),
alive and kicking,
right as rain (British, informal)
in the sense of hench
Definition
forceful or powerful
tanned muscular legs
Synonyms
strong,
powerful,
athletic,
strapping,
robust,
vigorous,
sturdy,
stalwart,
husky (informal),
beefy (informal),
swole (slang),
hench (informal),
lusty,
sinewy,
muscle-bound,
brawny,
powerfully built,
thickset,
well-knit
Additional synonyms
in the sense of husky
Definition
(of a man) big and strong
a very husky young man, built like a football player
Synonyms
muscular,
powerful,
strapping,
rugged (US, Canadian),
hefty,
burly,
stocky,
beefy (informal),
brawny,
thickset
in the sense of indecorous
Synonyms
improper,
rude,
coarse,
indecent,
tasteless,
unseemly,
churlish,
untoward,
undignified,
boorish,
uncouth,
impolite,
immodest,
uncivil,
ill-bred,
unmannerly
in the sense of lusty
Definition
healthy and full of strength and energy
his lusty singing in the open park
Synonyms
vigorous,
strong,
powerful,
healthy,
strapping,
robust,
rugged (US, Canadian),
energetic,
sturdy,
hale (old-fashioned),
stout,
stalwart,
hearty,
virile,
red-blooded (informal),
brawny
in the sense of muscular
Definition
forceful or powerful
tanned muscular legs
Synonyms
strong,
powerful,
athletic,
strapping,
robust,
vigorous,
sturdy,
stalwart,
husky (informal),
beefy (informal),
swole (slang),
hench (informal),
lusty,
sinewy,
muscle-bound,
brawny,
powerfully built,
thickset,
well-knit
in the sense of powerful
Definition
having great physical strength
a big, powerful man
Synonyms
strong,
strapping,
mighty,
robust,
vigorous,
potent,
energetic,
sturdy,
stalwart
in the sense of practical
Definition
concerned with everyday matters
She is always so practical and full of common sense.
Synonyms
sensible,
ordinary,
realistic,
down-to-earth,
mundane,
matter-of-fact,
no-nonsense,
businesslike,
hard-headed,
workaday,
grounded
in the sense of pragmatic
Definition
concerned with practical consequences rather than theory
a pragmatic approach to the problems faced by Latin America
Synonyms
practical,
efficient,
sensible,
realistic,
down-to-earth,
matter-of-fact,
utilitarian,
businesslike,
hard-headed
in the sense of raunchy
Definition
sexy or earthy
a raunchy movie
Synonyms
sexy,
sexual,
steamy (informal),
earthy,
suggestive,
lewd,
lusty,
bawdy,
salacious,
smutty,
lustful,
lecherous,
ribald,
coarse
in the sense of raw
Definition
in an unfinished or unrefined state
two ships carrying raw sugar
Synonyms
unrefined,
natural,
crude,
unprocessed,
basic,
rough,
organic,
coarse,
unfinished,
untreated,
unripe
in the sense of realistic
a realistic view of what we can afford
Synonyms
practical,
real,
sensible,
rational,
common-sense,
sober,
pragmatic,
down-to-earth,
matter-of-fact,
businesslike,
level-headed,
hard-headed,
unsentimental,
unromantic,
grounded
Additional synonyms
in the sense of rude
Definition
vulgar or obscene
He made a rude gesture with his finger.
Synonyms
vulgar,
offensive,
gross,
crude,
obscene,
tasteless,
lewd,
indelicate
in the sense of rugged
Definition
rough, sturdy, or determined in character
He's rugged and durable, but not the best technical boxer.
Synonyms
tough,
strong,
hardy,
robust,
vigorous,
muscular,
swole (slang),
hench (informal),
sturdy,
hale (old-fashioned),
burly,
husky (informal),
beefy (informal),
brawny
in the sense of sensible
Definition
having or showing good sense or judgment
She was a sensible girl and did not panic.
Synonyms
intelligent,
practical,
reasonable,
rational,
sound,
realistic,
sober,
discriminating,
discreet,
sage,
shrewd,
down-to-earth,
matter-of-fact,
prudent,
sane,
canny,
judicious,
far-sighted,
sagacious,
grounded
in the sense of sinewy
Definition
lean and muscular
a short, sinewy young man
Synonyms
muscular,
strong,
powerful,
athletic,
robust,
wiry,
brawny
in the sense of sound
Definition
free from damage, injury, or decay
His body was still sound.
Synonyms
fit,
healthy,
robust,
firm,
perfect,
intact,
vigorous,
hale (old-fashioned),
unhurt,
undamaged,
uninjured,
unimpaired,
hale and hearty
in the sense of stout
Definition
strong and sturdy
a great stout fellow, big in brawn and bone
Synonyms
strong,
strapping,
muscular,
tough,
substantial,
athletic,
hardy,
robust,
vigorous,
sturdy,
stalwart,
husky (informal),
hulking,
beefy (informal),
lusty,
brawny,
thickset,
able-bodied
in the sense of strapping
Definition
tall, strong, and healthy-looking
He was a bricklayer - a big, strapping fellow.
Synonyms
well-built,
big,
powerful,
robust,
hefty (informal),
sturdy,
stalwart,
burly,
husky (informal),
hulking,
beefy (informal),
brawny,
well set-up
in the sense of sturdy
Definition
(of a person) healthy, strong, and unlikely to tire or become injured
She was a short, sturdy woman in her early sixties.