hardware
noun
Simple meaning
Fixtures, equipment, fasteners, tools, and devices used for general-purpose construction and repair of a structure or object.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
hahrdwerSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈhɑɹdwɛɹ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
Fixtures, equipment, fasteners, tools, and devices used for general-purpose construction and repair of a structure or object. Also such equipment as sold as stock by a store of the same name, e.g. hardware store.
informaltechnology
Electronic equipment.
Instrumentalities (tools or implements) made of metal
computing
The part of a computer that is fixed and cannot be altered without replacement or physical modification; motherboard, expansion cards, etc. Compare software.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- A1 · Beginner (estimated)
- Frequency
- Very Common
- Typical Use
- Varies by meaning
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: Fixtures, equipment, fasteners, tools, and devices used for general-purpose construction and repair of a structure or object. Also such equipment as sold as stock by a store of the same name, e.g. hardware store.
Used this way, hardware is a specialist word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. This is a computing use: it carries a fixed technical meaning inside software and systems work.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Specialized
- Connotation
- Clinical and technical
- Usage feel
- Technical and specialized
Where it naturally appears
- Technology
- Technical/specialist writing
- Business/professional
Usage note
In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.
Nearby words
- ironware , rarer, so it draws attention
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use hardware
- “My computer's hardware needs an upgrade to run the latest software.”noun
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
Error resulting from a malfunction of some physical component of the computer.
A store selling hardware.
The mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Synonyms
Sense: fixtures or equipment or fasteners or tools
Antonyms
Sense: fixtures or equipment or fasteners or tools
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