persistent

persistent — adjective

1. continuing over a long period, or staying present even after people try to stop,

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

continuing over a long period, or staying present even after people try to stop, cure, or remove it.

Example

The persistent rain kept the football field wet all weekend.

persistent + weather noun

A persistent cough woke Nina up three times during the night.

persistent + symptom noun

Common collocations
  • persistent cough
  • persistent pain
  • persistent rain
  • persistent smell
  • persistent problem
Synonyms
  • lasting

    neutral and broad; often used for effects, value, or change

  • lingering

    often suggests something stays longer than wanted, especially smells or feelings

  • chronic

    mainly used for long-term illness or problems, especially in medicine

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

persistent + problem/symptom/weather noun

be persistent for + period of time

Usage Note

Usually describes problems, symptoms, weather, or unwanted conditions that keep coming back or do not clear up. Distinguish this sense from sense 2, which describes a person or behaviour that keeps pushing toward a goal.

Common Mistakes

I need a persistent marker for this poster.
I need a permanent marker for this poster.
permanent describes something meant to stay; persistent describes something that continues or is hard to remove.
The cough persisted for weeks, so it was very persisted.
The cough persisted for weeks, so it was very persistent.
use the adjective 'persistent' after 'be'.

2. continuing to push for something despite problems, refusal, or criticism, someti

2.adjectiveC2
Definition

continuing to push for something despite problems, refusal, or criticism, sometimes in a way that annoys other people.

Example

Luca was persistent and emailed the landlord again after no reply.

persistent person after silence or refusal

Her persistent questions finally got the coach to explain the rules.

persistent + questions

Common collocations
  • persistent effort
  • persistent questions
  • persistent demand
  • persistent caller
  • persistent campaign
Synonyms
  • determined

    more clearly positive and focused on inner resolve

  • tenacious

    stronger and more formal, often praising someone who does not give up

  • insistent

    focuses on repeated demands or pressure on other people

  • stubborn

    more negative, suggesting refusal to change even when wrong

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be persistent about + thing

be persistent with + person

be persistent in + -ing

persistent + questions/caller/neighbour

Usage Note

Often appears with words such as 'questions', 'caller', 'campaign', or 'request', and it can sound either admiring or slightly critical depending on context. Distinguish this sense from sense 1, where the thing itself continues rather than someone actively keeping at it.

Common Mistakes

She was persistent to get the visa.
She was persistent in trying to get the visa.
this adjective does not normally take a direct to-infinitive.
Ken was persistent for borrowing my bike.
Ken was persistent about borrowing my bike.
use 'about' before the thing a person keeps asking for.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

For sense 1, persistent is useful when something keeps going or keeps returning, often in an unwanted way. A persistent cough or a persistent smell may still be there after rest, cleaning, or treatment. Lasting is broader and more neutral, so it often fits positive results such as lasting peace or lasting value. Lingering usually suggests that something remains weakly in the background, especially a smell, taste, or feeling. Chronic is strongest and is used mainly for long-term illness or serious problems. Temporary is the opposite, describing something that will soon end. Say 'a persistent pain in his knee,' but 'lasting friendships' and 'a chronic back problem.'

persistent ↗lastinglingeringchronic ↗temporary ↗

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Persistent is built from the verb persist, which came into English from Latin persistere, meaning 'to keep going firmly' or 'to continue standing fast'. The adjective kept that idea and came to describe both things that do not stop and people who keep pressing on.