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noun C2 Proficient Uncommon

tenacity

tuh-NAS-ih-tee

Tenacity (noun) means the quality of refusing to give up; determined persistence. Example: “It took real tenacity to finish the marathon after the injury.”

noun
1
The quality of refusing to give up; determined persistence.
"It took real tenacity to finish the marathon after the injury."

How to use tenacity

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStubborn persistence — sticking with something no matter how hard it gets.

Common pairings
show tenacity sheer tenacity tenacity and determination

Word forms

tenacities plural

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Can you complete this real example?

It took real _____ to finish the marathon after the injury.

Etymology

From tenacious + -ity, ultimately from Latin tenacitas.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for tenacity

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Frequently asked questions

What does “tenacity” mean?

The word “tenacity” means the quality of refusing to give up; determined persistence. In plain terms, stubborn persistence — sticking with something no matter how hard it gets.

How do you pronounce “tenacity”?

“Tenacity” is pronounced tuh-NAS-ih-tee (/təˈnæsəti/ in IPA).

How do you use “tenacity” in a sentence?

Here is “tenacity” used in a sentence: “It took real tenacity to finish the marathon after the injury.”

What is another word for “tenacity”?

Words with a similar meaning to “tenacity” include cohesiveness.

What is the opposite of “tenacity”?

The opposite of “tenacity” — its antonyms — are brittleness, fragility and mobility.

What part of speech is “tenacity”?

“Tenacity” is a noun.

Where does the word “tenacity” come from?

The word “tenacity” comes from Latin. From tenacious + -ity, ultimately from Latin tenacitas.

Is “tenacity” a common word?

“Tenacity” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial