tenacious
Say it: tuh-NAY-shus /tɪˈneɪʃəs/ · adjective
What “tenacious” means
Keeping going and refusing to give up.
More precisely: Holding firmly to something; persistent and determined not to give up.
Example: “Tenacious founders keep calling investors long after the first twenty say no.”
When to use it
When someone keeps pursuing a worthwhile goal through setbacks. Usually a compliment in sport, work or everyday life.
Memory trick
Latin tenere means to hold: picture someone holding firmly onto their goal.
Similar words
persistent, dogged, determined
Where it comes from
From Latin tenax, 'holding fast', from tenere 'to hold'.
Quick check
After several failed attempts, Jo keeps repairing the broken radio until it finally works. Jo is…
obstinate or tenacious?
Show the answer
tenacious
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