/ Dictionary / Index H hard knocks: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: hard' knocks' Pronunciation: [key] — Informal. Informal. adversity or hardships. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. hard-knock hard labor Related Content Daily Word Quiz: morose Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language