die-hard

American  

[dahy-hahrd] / ˈdaɪˌhɑrd /

Or diehard

noun

1. a person who vigorously maintains or defends a seemingly hopeless position, outdated attitude, lost cause, or the like.

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adjective

1. resisting vigorously and stubbornly to the last; stubborn.

die-hard British  

noun

1. a person who resists change or who holds onto an untenable position or outdated attitude

2. (modifier) obstinately resistant to change

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die hard Idioms  

1. Take a long time to cease to exist or be dropped from consideration. For example, Old prejudices die hard, or The more radical parts of this proposal will die hard. This idiom alludes to struggling against physical death. [Late 1700s]

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Other Word Forms

• die-hardism noun

Etymology

Origin of die-hard

First recorded in 1835–45; noun, adj. use of verb phrase die hard

Example Sentences

He was an Aaron Donald die-hard who never really thought about cheering for the team.

From Los Angeles Times

Kennedy also had to weather scrutiny from die-hard fans about the new direction of the franchise.

From Los Angeles Times

It's a moment die-hard fans - known collectively as Army - have been waiting for since it was teased months ago.

From BBC

Chris is well versed in global investing and a die-hard fan of quality stocks, wherever they are traded.

From Barron's

Chris is well versed in global investing and a die-hard fan of quality stocks, wherever they are traded.

From Barron's

Related Words

• old-line
• uncompromising