Words / B2

p-uh-SIST-uh-ns/pəˈsɪstəns/

Persistence is continuing despite difficulty, or the fact that something lasts: persistence of the virus; persistence pays off. Persist is the verb (already in the dictionary); persistent is the adjective (already elsewhere). Credit persistence, then name the method. Mix-up: insistence (demanding); resistance. Do not write persistence for a one-off effort.

Meaning

The fact of continuing despite difficulty, or of something lasting.

Examples

• “Credit persistence, then name the method that actually worked.”
• “Persistence of the pollutant in the sediment featured in the lake study, which is the lasting sense.”

Good to know

persistence of; persistence pays off. Verb: persist. Adjective: persistent. Trap: insistence. Evaluations, sciences, and news. Keeping going, or lasting in the system.

New