English Explanatory Dictionary

stubborn

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting; persistent in doing something.
  2. Physically stiff and inflexible; not easily melted or worked.
noun
  1. Stubbornness.
  2. Ellipsis of stubborn disease (“a disease of citrus trees”).

Pronunciation

/ˈstʌbɚn/ en-us-stubborn.ogg /ˈstʌbən/ /ˈstʊbən/ En-uk-stubborn.ogg

Word forms

stubborn stubborner stubbornest

Etymology

From Middle English stiborne, stibourne, stoburn, stoburne, styburne, stiborn, of uncertain origin; one hypothesis is that it may be from Old English *stybbor, from Old English stybb (“a stump, stub”) + -or (adjective-formation suffix, as in bitor, whence English bitter).

Synonyms

willful headstrong wayward obstinate obdurate contrary disobedient insubordinate undisciplined adamant unyielding rebellious perseverant persistent enduring

Derived words

mule-stubborn outstubborn stubborn as a mule stubbornly stubbornness stubborns stubborn up unstubborn
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