verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˌpɜːsəˈvɪə/
General-American:/ˌpɝ.səˈviɹ/
rhymes with -ɪə(ɹ)
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:P ER0 S AH0 V IH1 R
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To persist steadfastly in pursuit of an undertaking, task, journey, or goal, even if hindered by distraction, difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To stay constant; to continue in a certain state; to remain.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: copulative, intransitive, obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
be persistent, refuse to stop
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
he persisted to call me every night
The child persisted and kept asking questions
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: persist, hang in, hang on, hold on
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: continue, uphold, carry on, bear on, preserve
Narrower terms: obstinate, ask for it, ask for trouble, plug, plug away, stick to, stick with, follow
History
Etymology
From Middle English perseveren, from Old French perseverer, from Latin persevērāre (“to continue steadfastly, persist, persevere”), from perseverus (“very strict or earnest”), from per (“through, by the means of”) + severus (“strict, earnest”). Doublet of perseverate.
Across languages
Translations
43 source translations are retained for this English entry.
