Harden

How to spell harden

6 letters · 2 syllables

How to pronounce harden

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does harden mean?

1. verbTo make or become firm, solid, or more resistant, whether a physical material or an attitude.

Harden in a sentence

• The concrete will harden within a few hours of pouring.

• Repeated setbacks can harden a person's resolve.

Where does harden come from?

Language of origin: Germanic

This is a native English word, built from the adjective 'hard', which comes from Old English 'heard', meaning firm, solid, or severe, a word shared across the Germanic languages and related to German 'hart'. The ending '-en' is the old Germanic verb-forming suffix that turns an adjective into a verb meaning 'to make or become' that quality, the same element seen in 'soften', 'sharpen', 'widen', and 'strengthen'. So 'harden' literally means 'to make hard' or 'to become hard', and it has carried that sense steadily since the Middle English period. Over time it picked up figurative uses too, such as hardening one's heart or hardening an attitude, where toughness is emotional rather than physical. Because both halves are plain English with a single 'd' and a single 'n', the spelling is regular and rarely causes trouble.

How the word is built

• hard (Old English heard: firm, solid)
• -en (verb suffix meaning 'to make or become')