Meaning & use
strong-minded
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
having firm opinions and the confidence to act on them without being easily influenced.
Grammar: Gradable: you can say 'very strong-minded' or 'more strong-minded than'. It describes a person, not a thing.
Patterns
- a strong-minded person
- be strong-minded
- too strong-minded
My grandmother was a strong-minded woman who never let anyone tell her what to do.
He is strong-minded about his career and won't change his plans for anyone.
Being strong-minded can be a good quality, but sometimes you need to listen to others.
adjectivecomparabledisapproving
not willing to change your ideas even when other people disagree (often disapproving).
Grammar: When used disapprovingly, it suggests stubbornness; the context usually makes this clear.
Patterns
- too strong-minded to listen
- so strong-minded that
She's so strong-minded that she refuses to consider any other option.
A strong-minded leader can be great, but a strong-minded boss who ignores advice is a problem.
Word forms
| comparative | more strong-minded |
|---|---|
| superlative | most strong-minded |
Common combinations
- a strong-minded woman
- The novel's hero is a strong-minded woman who runs her own business.
- strong-minded and independent
- She is strong-minded and independent, and she likes to make her own choices.
- too strong-minded
- He is too strong-minded to accept help from anyone.
- strong-minded about something
- They are strong-minded about protecting the environment.
Synonyms and how they differ
- determined
- Determined means having a strong wish to achieve something; strong-minded also means having firm opinions.
- resolute
- Resolute is more formal and means admirably firm; strong-minded is more everyday.
- stubborn
- Stubborn is usually disapproving and means refusing to change even when you are wrong; strong-minded can be approving.
- assertive
- Assertive means confident in expressing your views; strong-minded emphasizes holding firm opinions.
Opposites
Word family
- strong mind noun
- The mental quality of being able to think clearly and stay determined.
- strong-willed adjective
- Determined to do what you want; similar to strong-minded.
Commonly confused: strong-minded or strong mind?
strong-minded vs strong mind
Strong mind is a noun phrase for the quality; strong-minded is the adjective describing a person who has that quality.
Practice
She is very ______; once she makes a decision, she never changes it.
Choose one answer.
The adjective 'strong-minded' fits after 'very' to describe a person. 'Strong mind' is a noun and cannot follow 'very'. 'Strongly minded' is not a standard phrase, and 'stronger mind' is a comparative noun phrase that does not fit the grammar here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “strong-minded”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.