persistent
puh-SIHS-tuhnt
Persistent (adjective) means continuing firmly despite difficulty or opposition; refusing to give up. Example: “The persistent rain kept us indoors for most of the weekend, so we played board games.”
adjective
1
Continuing firmly despite difficulty or opposition; refusing to give up.
"The persistent rain kept us indoors for most of the weekend, so we played board games."
"He was persistent, calling the office every day until he got an answer."
"A persistent cough is a common flu symptom that can linger for weeks."
2
In computing, describing data that survives after the program that created it has stopped running.
"Unlike temporary memory, persistent data is still there after you restart the server."
"We chose a persistent database so the shopping basket survives a crash."
"The app stores login details in persistent storage."
How to use persistent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSticking around or continuing, whether that's a person's determination, an annoying problem, or stored data.
Common pairings
persistent cough
persistent pain
persistent storage
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more persistent
- Superlative
- most persistent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ rain kept us indoors for most of the weekend, so we played board games.
Etymology
Comes from Latin persistentem, the present participle of persistō ("continue steadfastly"); on the surface it can also be analysed as persist plus -ent.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
caducous
Related words
Rhymes for persistent
See all rhymes for persistent →Frequently asked questions
What does “persistent” mean?
The word “persistent” means continuing firmly despite difficulty or opposition; refusing to give up. In plain terms, sticking around or continuing, whether that's a person's determination, an annoying problem, or stored data.
How do you pronounce “persistent”?
“Persistent” is pronounced puh-SIHS-tuhnt (/pɚˈsɪstənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “persistent” in a sentence?
Here is “persistent” used in a sentence: “He was persistent, calling the office every day until he got an answer.”
What part of speech is “persistent”?
“Persistent” is an adjective.
Is “persistent” a common word?
“Persistent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “persistent” have?
“Persistent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: continuing firmly despite difficulty or opposition; refusing to give up.
What is the difference between 'persistent' and 'consistent'?
Persistent means continuing firmly despite difficulty or refusing to give up, while consistent means staying the same or behaving in a steady, unchanging way. Someone can be persistent (they keep trying) without being consistent (doing it the same way every time).
What is the difference between 'persistent' and 'stubborn'?
Both describe someone who does not give up easily, but 'persistent' is usually positive, suggesting admirable determination. 'Stubborn' is often negative, implying an unreasonable refusal to change one's mind or approach.
Is 'persistent' a positive or negative word?
Persistent is generally positive when it describes determination and refusing to give up, as in 'a persistent researcher.' It becomes negative when it describes something unwanted that will not stop, such as a 'persistent cough' or 'persistent rain.'
