Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Extremely explicit, especially in depicting sex or violence: Used to describe material that is graphic and leaves little to the imagination.
   • Intensely loyal and unwavering: Describes a person or group that shows very strong, unchanging support for a cause, person, or idea.
   • Stubbornly resistant to change or improvement: Often used to describe a person or condition that is deeply entrenched and difficult to alter.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The website strictly prohibits the upload of any hard-core content.
  • Only the most hard-core fans waited in line for three days to get concert tickets.
  • The program is designed to help hard-core addicts who have failed other treatments.

Advanced Usage

• "Hard-core base": Refers to the most dedicated and unwavering segment of supporters for a politician or movement.
  • The candidate's strategy focused on energizing his hard-core base.
• "Hard-core gamer": A person who plays video games extensively and is deeply knowledgeable about them.
  • This new console is aimed at the hard-core gamer market.

Variants and Related Words

• Hardcore (adj, alternate spelling): Often used interchangeably with "hard-core," especially in informal contexts.
  • He listens to hardcore punk music.
• Hardliner (n): A person who adheres rigidly to a doctrine, policy, or position. This is a related concept describing a person, while "hard-core" often describes the quality of support or the nature of material.
  • Party hardliners opposed the compromise.

Synonyms

• Explicit: Clearly and directly shown or stated.
• Die-hard: Strongly opposing change or clinging to a belief.
• Ardent: Very enthusiastic or passionate.

Related Phrases

• Hard-core evidence: (Not a standard phrasal verb, but a collocation) Refers to concrete, undeniable proof.
  • The prosecutor presented hard-core evidence to the jury.
• Hard-core facts: (Collocation) Refers to the basic, undeniable truths of a situation.
  • Let's focus on the hard-core facts of the case.

Related Idioms

• To the core: Completely and thoroughly. While not containing "hard-core," it shares the concept of being fundamental and unwavering.
  • He is a conservative to his core.

Adjective

1. extremely explicit
   • hard-core pornography
2. intensely loyal
   • his hard-core supporters
3. stubbornly resistant to change or improvement
   • hard-core addicts