strive

CEFRC1

/ˈstɹaɪv/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To try very hard to achieve something.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To struggle in opposition; to be in contention or dispute; to contend; to contest.

Examples

  • They had to strive against natural calamities for ages.

  • They strive constantly to improve customer relations.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To vie; to compete as a rival.

  2. To try to achieve a result; to make strenuous effort; to try earnestly and persistently.

More examples

In context

  • We encourage all members to strive for the highest standards.

  • We strive for the truth.

  • He strove to excel.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The determined student continued to blank for top grades despite the challenges.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English striven (“to strive”), from Old French estriver (“to compete, quarrel”), from Frankish *strīban (“to exert, make an effort”) from Proto-Germanic *strībaną, or from Frankish *stribēn (“to strive”) from Proto-Germanic *stribāną. As this verb is conjugated as if it were a strong verb (like drive, ride, and write), it is possible this word may instead be inherited from an unattested Old English *strīfan or *strifian, which would itself also be inherited from Proto-Germanic *strībaną.