robust - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
robust Word Meanings
- strong and healthy
- vigorously effective
- substantial and sturdy
robust Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
robust Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/rəʊˈbʌst/
US
/roʊˈbʌst/
robust Word Etymology
robust = ro- (strength) + bustus (sturdy). Historical origin: Latin → Old French → English. Memory image: picture a strong oak tree with deep roots, standing tall against a storm, symbolizing strength and durability.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I plant my feet, grip the mug, and pull it toward the edge of the table. The weight shifts in my hands, my wrist tightens, and I adjust my grip to keep it steady. I set it down with a small push, and it sits solid, not wobbly. That sense of steady strength springs from the moment of control, and I start to feel how robust it can be in use.
Real Context
robust is an adjective meaning strong and healthy, vigorous or substantial in form. It describes people who recover quickly, systems that perform reliably under stress, or designs that are sturdy and durable. It can apply to health, appetite, flavors that are full-bodied, or processes that resist errors. In tech, a robust program handles unexpected input gracefully. In business, a robust market is stable and capable of withstanding shocks. The word carries a positive, confident tone but can sound formal or technical in casual talk. Typical collocations include robust health, robust security, robust design, and robust performance.
Usage Reminders
- 1) Use robust for strength or reliability across domains.
- 2) Pair with health, systems, or performance nouns.
- 3) Not for minor flaws or casual strengths.
- 4) Adverb is robustly, noun form robustness.
- 5) Avoid mixing with rough or rude connotations.
Common Misconceptions
- It does not mean rough or rude; it signals resilience, not aggression.
- It is not limited to physical strength; it covers systems and processes too.
- Do not use robust to describe fleeting moods or emotions.
- Mistaking it for sturdy can be wrong if the context is fragile or delicate.
- Robust does not mean flashy; it emphasizes reliability and durability.
Thinking Differences
English learners often treat robust as a catch-all strength word; it fits many domains but can feel formal. Avoid assuming it means rough or aggressive; use it where reliability and durability matter.
Learning Tips
- Create a 3-column mental map: health, systems, performance.
- Pair robust with a noun in a sentence to show scope.
- Compare with sturdy and durable to see nuance.
- Notice collocations like robust health and robust design.
- Practice converting adjectives to robustly (adv) and robustness (noun).
- Listen for formal or technical tone in news or reports.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'robust'?
A.Weak
B.Tired
C.Strong
D.Fast
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'robust' correctly?
A.The fragile vase looked robust on the shelf.
B.The robust laptop broke easily under pressure.
C.The robust athlete won the race effortlessly.
D.The robust tree lost all its leaves in summer.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'robust'?
A.Healthy
B.Fragile
C.Delicate
D.Limp
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'robust'?
A.Sturdy
B.Feeble
C.Vigorous
D.Robust
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where being 'robust' is important?
A.A fragile smartphone screen prone to cracks.
B.A delicate vase on display in a museum.
C.A sturdy bridge able to withstand heavy traffic.
D.A weak foundation of a building.
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