What does perseverance mean?
Perseverance means continuing to pursue a goal despite obstacles, delays, discouragement, or repeated failure. It describes both the quality of steadfast effort and, more broadly, the practice of not abandoning a difficult undertaking. The word is especially common in discussions of education, sport, work, creative projects, and personal development, where it emphasizes sustained commitment rather than a single dramatic act. Its tone is usually positive, suggesting determination, discipline, and resilience. Perseverance is normally uncountable, though the plural perseverances is grammatically possible. Compared with persistence, it more clearly implies action in the face of difficulty. Compared with tenacity, it often sounds more reflective and morally approving, while tenacity can suggest a stubborn or even aggressive quality. In everyday use, perseverance is closely associated with the idea that steady, patient effort can produce results over time.
nounThe quality of continuing to pursue a goal or undertaking despite difficulty, delay, or discouragement.
- The quality of continuing firmly toward a goal despite difficulties, setbacks, or discouragement.
"Her perseverance in the face of repeated setbacks earned her a place on the national team."
"Through patience and perseverance, she gradually built a successful business from her kitchen."
"The club credited its survival to the perseverance of volunteers during a particularly difficult season."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon; perseverance is ordinarily used as an uncountable noun.
"The stories of the researchers' perseverances inspired the younger generation."
The word’s Latin root evokes holding fast: perseverance is the practice of not letting go.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does perseverance come from?
Perseverance entered English through Middle English and Old French from the Latin perseverare, meaning “to persist in” or “continue steadfastly.” The Latin formation combines the intensive prefix per- with severare, a root associated with joining or adhering, conveying the idea of holding firmly to an undertaking. Related English forms include persistence, persistent, and persevere; Romance cognates include French persévérance and Spanish perseverancia.
Related word forms
How perseverance is actually used
The word is usually positive and carries an inspirational or morally approving tone, especially when describing effort in the face of hardship. It is more formal and emphatic than persistence and is normally used as an uncountable noun, although the plural perseverances is grammatically possible.
Easily confused with perseverance
Perseverance specifically emphasizes continuing despite obstacles, while persistence can refer more generally to continued effort or existence.