Persistent Meaning
/pɚˈsɪstənt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjObstinately refusing to give up or let go.
adjInsistently repetitive.
Sentence Examples
How persistent you are!
I have a persistent cough.
How do you deal with persistent salesmen who won't take no for an answer?
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ noise from the construction site kept the neighbors awake all night.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ cough lasted for three weeks and prompted her to visit the doctor for a checkup.
Word Origin & History
From Latin persistentem, present participle of persistō (“continue steadfastly”). By surface analysis, persist + -ent.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott."
— 2011 November 10, Jeremy Wilson, “England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report”, in Telegraph:
"Although many individuals seek meaningful social connection, they face persistent barriers to sustaining relationships, including communication difficulties, social rejection, loneliness, and limited social opportunities (Elmose, 2019; Mendelson et al., 2016; Sosnowy et al., 2019). The gap between social motivation and real-life opportunities for social interaction may contribute to persistent social isolation in this population."
— 2025 August 13, Müjdat Erarkadaş, Kübra Özmeral Erarkadaş, Şahika Gülen Şişmanlar, “Autism Spectrum Disorder Beyond Childhood: A Comprehensive Assessment of Activities of Daily Living and Social Functioning in Turkish Adults”, in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, →DOI:
"The Jubulaceae have a leaf whose lobule, usually transformed into a water-sac, is normally very narrowly attached to the stem and to the dorsal lobe; indeed some Frullania taxa reproduce vegetatively by dropping the dorsal lobes, but not the lobules, and Neohattoria has caducous lobules but persistent lobes."
— 1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, Chicago, Ill.: Field Museum of Natural History, →ISBN, page 4:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ noise from the construction site kept the neighbors awake all night.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ cough lasted for three weeks and prompted her to visit the doctor for a checkup.