Dictionary.com
definitions

persistent

[per-sis-tuhnt, -zis-]
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR persistent ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering: a most annoyingly persistent young man.
lasting or enduring tenaciously: the persistent aroma of verbena; a persistent cough.
constantly repeated; continued: persistent noise.
Biology.
  1. continuing or permanent.
  2. having continuity of phylogenetic characteristics.
Botany. remaining attached beyond the usual time, as flowers, flower parts, or leaves.

RELATED CONTENT

10 Of The Weirdest Phobia NamesRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
problem childRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

vigorously, nimbly, eagerly, hastily, carefully, earnestly, energetically, laboriously, diligently, painstakingly, enthusiastically, restlessly, ardently, hurriedly, purposefully, assiduously, regularly, routinely, always, constantly

Nearby words

  1. persis,
  2. persist,
  3. persistence,
  4. persistence of memory, the,
  5. persistence of vision,
  6. persistent anterior hyperplastic primary vitreous body,
  7. persistent chronic hepatitis,
  8. persistent cruelty,
  9. persistent organic pollutant,
  10. persistent posterior hyperplastic primary vitreous body

Origin of persistent

1820–30; < Latin persistent- (stem of persistēns), present participle of persistere to persist; see -ent
ANTONYMS FOR persistent
3. sporadic.
SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR persistent ON THESAURUS.COM
Related formsper·sist·ent·ly, adverbnon·per·sist·ent, adjectivenon·per·sist·ent·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for persistently

British Dictionary definitions for persistently

persistent

adjective

showing persistence
incessantly repeated; unrelentingyour persistent questioning
(of plant parts) remaining attached to the plant after the normal time of witheringa fruit surrounded by a persistent perianth
zoology
  1. (of parts normally present only in young stages) present in the adultpersistent gills in axolotls
  2. continuing to grow or develop after the normal period of growthpersistent teeth
(of a chemical, esp when used as an insecticide) slow to break down; not easily degradable
Derived Formspersistently, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for persistently

persistent

adj.

1723, from persistence or from Latin persistentem (nominative persistens), present participle of persistere (see persist). Related: Persistently.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper