English Explanatory Dictionary

strive

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To try to achieve a result; to make strenuous effort; to try earnestly and persistently.
  2. To struggle in opposition; to be in contention or dispute; to contend; to contest.
  3. To vie; to compete as a rival.
noun
  1. Alternative form of strife.

Pronunciation

/ˈstɹaɪv/ En-us-strive.ogg

Word forms

strive strives striving strove strived striven no-table-tags glossary

Etymology

From Middle English striven (“to strive”), from Old French estriver (“to compete, quarrel”), from Frankish *strīban (“to exert, make an effort”) from Proto-Germanic *strībaną, or from Frankish *stribēn (“to strive”) from Proto-Germanic *stribāną. As this verb is conjugated as if it were a strong verb (like drive, ride, and write), it is possible this word may instead be inherited from an unattested Old English *strīfan or *strifian, which would itself also be inherited from Proto-Germanic *strībaną.

Synonyms

put keep &c. one's nose to the grindstone put one's back into give 110% break one's back work hard apply oneself put one's shoulder to the wheel seek pursue reach for

Related words

strife

Derived words

do not sit in Rome and strive with the Pope gainstrive overstrive restrive striver strivingly unstriving upstrive
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