resistant

American  

[ri-zis-tuhnt] / rɪˈzɪs tənt /

adjective

1. exhibiting or offering resistance; resisting (often used in combination).

   stain-resistant;

   resistant to change.

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noun

1. a person or thing that resists.

resistant British  

/ rɪˈzɪstənt /

adjective

1. characterized by or showing resistance; resisting

2. 1. impervious to the action of corrosive substances, heat, etc

      a highly resistant surface

   2. ( in combination )

      a heat-resistant surface

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noun

1. a person or thing that resists

Other Word Forms

• antiresistant
  adjective
• unresistant
  adjective
• antiresistantly
  adverb
• resistantly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of resistant

1590–1600; < Middle French resistant, present participle of resister to resist; see -ant

Explanation

Being resistant means to be immune or impervious to something. A vest that's resistant to bullets is bullet-proof. Anything resistant has a certain power — specifically, the power to resist or fight off — something else. This word is often used medically, like when someone is resistant to a virus: that means they can't get the virus. You can also be resistant to someone's jokes, meaning they can't make you laugh. A raincoat should be resistant to water. If it's not resistant, that's a pretty bad raincoat. All resistant things are like a shield that something can't get through.

Related Words

• immune
• invulnerable