Dictionary

hardline en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• /ˈhɑɹdlaɪn/ (General-American)
• /ˈhɑːdlaɪn/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From hard + line.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable) Uncompromising; rigidly holding to a set of beliefs.
   • Emmanuel Macron’s ruling centrist party was divided and soul-searching on Wednesday after a strict new immigration law was approved by parliament but contained so many hardline measures that the far-right Marine Le Pen claimed it as an “ideological victory” for her own anti-immigration platform. 2023 December 19, Angelique Chrisafis, “France passes controversial immigration bill amid deep division in Macron’s party”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
   • To come up with common, honorable, flexible, sensible, creative, meaningful, non-coercive "codes" or expectations of ethical behavior while avoiding laying down hard-line, guilt-inspiring "politically correct" rules and superficial judgements is no small feat. 1979, Alix Dobkins, Adventures in Women's Music:
   • Smith's hardline approach to drugs gained him the support of many local citizens.
2. (not-comparable) Belonging to a hardline.
   • hardline product
   • Safety, product quality and performance are prerequisites for all hardline products such as toys, cosmetics, furniture, jewellery, DIY, etc. 2010, Hardline Services by SGS (live page), SGS Group

Forms

Deriveds

hard-liner

hardline en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• /ˈhɑɹdlaɪn/ (General-American)
• /ˈhɑːdlaɪn/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From hard + line.

Meanings

1. A retail product collection consisting primarily of hardware targeting the do-it-yourself customer.
   • The Hardlines Digest is an Internet mailing list for members of the retail hardware and home center industry. 2002, John Cornell III, Hardlines FAQ (live original), Hardlines Digest
2. A retail product collection which includes many non-information goods, such as home appliances, housewares, and sporting goods, in addition to the DIY hardware which is the focus of the first definition, above.
   • Comparable-store sales in hardlines declined in the mid single-digit range, with the strongest performance in sporting goods. 2010, Staff, Target June Comps "Relatively Soft" - Update (live original), RTTNews
3. A physical wire or cable connection; landline.

Forms