strength
Pluralstrengths (some meanings)
Pluralstrengths (some meanings)
Formsstrengths, strengthing, strengthed
- 1How strong a person or thing is, in body, mind, or material.
Like the power in your arms when you lift something heavy.
She trained hard all winter to build her strength.
It takes great strength to carry those heavy bags upstairs.
UsageSay the strength to do something, or build up your strength.
Similarpower, might, vigor, toughness, sturdiness
Oppositeweakness
Note
- 2How strong or powerful a force, feeling, or substance is.
Like turning a radio louder: more power pushes harder.
The strength of the wind knocked over the garden fence.
I could feel the strength of the current pulling at my legs.
Similarintensity, potency, power, force, concentration
- 3A good quality or the best part of someone or something, or someone who gives you support.
Like the best tool in a toolbox: the one you can always rely on.
Patience is one of his greatest strengths as a teacher.
Kindness is a real strength in this kind of work.
UsagePeople often talk about their strengths and weaknesses.
Similarasset, forte, advantage
Oppositeweakness, shortcoming, flaw
- 4How many people a team, army or group has, often all the people it needs.
The office is at half strength because many people are on vacation.
The army's strength grew to five thousand soldiers.
Similarcomplement
Note
Less common meanings
- 5An army or large group of soldiers.
That done, dissever your united strengths, And part your mingled colours once again;
c. 1596, William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”Here, strengths means armies, groups of soldiers.Thou princely leader of our English strength, Never so needful on the earth of France,
1591, William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”Here, strength means army, the soldiers.Note
- 6A safe, strongly built place, such as a fort.
Note
- 7To make a person or thing stronger.
ſtrengthed with all myght / thꝛowe hys gloꝛious power / vnto all pacience / and longe ſufferynge with ioyfulnes
1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt (Tyndale Bible)Here, strengthed means made stronger.Then ſhalt thow perceave what it meaneth that the power of this wretched monſtre / muſt be ſtrengthed / by anothers power and not by his awne.
1529, John Frith, A piſtle to the Chriſten readerHere, strengthed means made stronger.Similarstrengthen, reinforce, fortify, invigorate, brace
Note
- 8A number that shows how hard it is to split a network into separate pieces by cutting links.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Old English strengþu, meaning strength. It comes from the word strong plus an ending that makes it a noun.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Strength derives from Old English strengþu, meaning strength. en.wiktionary.org
- Strength is formed from strong with a noun-forming suffix. en.wiktionary.org