When things get hard, try harder!

DUR — hard, harsh

Latin & Greek are the foundations of modern English — so learning them will help you master difficult English vocabulary at lightning speed ⚡️ Of course, Giki! will help you memorise these old words real fast too! 🚀

Latin word of the day: DUR— hard, harsh

1. Obdurate (adj) /ˈɒbdjʊrət/ = ob (against) + dur (hard) + ate (being): refusing to change your mind or your actions in anyway

I argued this point with her, but she was obdurate.

2. Duress (n) /ˈdjʊərɛs/= dur (hard) + ess (be): force or a threat that makes a person do something

Some witnesses claim they signed their statements under duress.

3. Durable (adj) /ˈdjʊərəb(ə)l/ = dur (hard) + able: able to last a long time without breaking or getting weaker

The machines have to be made of durable materials.

4. Dour (adj) /dʊr/ = dur (harsh): unfriendly, unhappy and very serious

The normally dour Mr. James was photographed smiling and joking with friends.

5. Duration (n) /djʊˈreɪʃ(ə)n/ = dur (hard) + ation (state of): the length of time that sth lasts or continue

Passengers are asked not to smoke for the duration of the journey.

6. Endure (v) /ɛnˈdjʊə/ = en (in) + dur (hard): to suffer something difficult, unpleasant or painful

Many couples endured long periods of separation during the war.

7. Endurance (n) /ɪnˈdjʊər(ə)ns/ = en (in) + dur (hard) + ance (state of): the ability to keep doing sth difficult, unpleasant, painful for a long time

The long journey tested their courage and endurance to the limit.

8. Unendurable (adj) /ʌnɪnˈdjʊərəb(ə)l/ = un (not) + en (in) + dur (hard) + able: to bad, unpleasant to bear

Such losses can seem to be unendurable because we cannot let go of what we have lost.

Memory Tip: it’s very HARD for some people to eat DURians (a spiky southeast asian fruit with a distinctive smell) !