adj
Common
resistant
ruh-ZIHS-tuhnt
Resistant (adj) means not easily affected, damaged, or changed by something. Example: “This watch is water resistant, so you can wear it while swimming.”
adj
1
Not easily affected, damaged, or changed by something.
"This watch is water resistant, so you can wear it while swimming."
"The new strain is resistant to most antibiotics."
"He was resistant to the idea of moving abroad."
How to use resistant
Learner’s notes
Common pairings
drug-resistant
resistant to change
water-resistant
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Word forms
- Plural
- resistants
- Comparative
- more resistant
- Superlative
- most resistant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This watch is water _____, so you can wear it while swimming.
Etymology
From French résistant, built from "resist" plus "-ant".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for resistant
See all rhymes for resistant →Frequently asked questions
What does “resistant” mean?
The word “resistant” means not easily affected, damaged, or changed by something.
How do you pronounce “resistant”?
“Resistant” is pronounced ruh-ZIHS-tuhnt (/ɹəˈzɪstənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “resistant” in a sentence?
Here is “resistant” used in a sentence: “The new strain is resistant to most antibiotics.”
What part of speech is “resistant”?
“Resistant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “resistant” come from?
The word “resistant” comes from French. From French résistant, built from "resist" plus "-ant".
Is “resistant” a common word?
“Resistant” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between resistant and resilient?
Resistant means not easily affected, damaged, or changed in the first place — the impact is blocked or reduced. Resilient means able to recover quickly after being affected. A stain-resistant carpet repels spills; a resilient person bounces back from setbacks.
What is the difference between water-resistant and waterproof?
Water-resistant means not easily damaged or penetrated by water: the item withstands splashes or brief exposure, but not unlimited soaking. Waterproof implies complete protection against water. That is why watches and jackets are usually labeled water-resistant, often with a stated rating, rather than waterproof.
Which preposition follows resistant — resistant to or resistant against?
The standard preposition is "to": bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, a person is resistant to change, a material is resistant to heat. "Resistant against" does appear occasionally, but it is far less common and best avoided in careful writing.
