# tenacious

/təˈneɪʃəs/ (US) · /tɛnˈeɪʃəs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tenacious
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

refusing to give up or let go of something. You use this to describe someone who keeps trying very hard even when things are difficult.

For teachers: persistent in maintaining an adherence to a goal, belief, or physical grip. Often used to describe a person's character or the strength of a physical hold.

## Examples

- She is a tenacious student who never stops asking questions.
- The lawyer's tenacious questioning eventually forced the witness to admit the truth about the missing documents.
- Despite facing repeated rejections from every major publisher, the author remained tenacious, eventually securing a deal that launched her career into the bestseller lists.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after 'be' or 'remain', or attributively before a noun like 'grip', 'defense', or 'advocate'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.