perseverance

noun

per·​se·​ver·​ance ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s 

: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness

His perseverance was rewarded: after many rejections, he finally found a job.

The road to the American dream was supposed to be built on perseverance and hard work.

—Ms. Guzman

Aaliyah and her artistry live on as a symbol of perseverance.

—Julian Kimble

Examples of perseverance in a Sentence

The great international collectors and curators, once celebrated for their perceptiveness and perseverance, are now regularly deplored as traffickers in, or receivers of, stolen goods. —Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Review of Books, 9 Feb. 2006

… a cavalcade of black and brown and female faces spinning stories of hardship and triumph through perseverance. —Michelle Cottle, New Republic, 14 Aug. 2000

… he had no-nonsense coaches with hearts of gold who taught him discipline; he learned perseverance from a father who sent him back out to fight after he took a licking … —Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated, 14 Dec. 1998

His perseverance was rewarded: after many rejections, he finally found a job.

Perseverance is required to perfect just about any skill.

Recent Examples on the Web

While the right to pursue happiness is protected, happiness itself is built through choices, effort and perseverance. — Frances West, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

With every new project, Thompson continues to prove that adaptability and perseverance have fueled his longevity in an ever-evolving industry, while building a lasting legacy that stretches far beyond comedy. — Dontaira Terrell, USA Today, 22 July 2026

For Shirah to dust herself off and get back on the bike after her accident shows her perseverance, Phippen says. — Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register, 21 July 2026

Cucho Hernandez’s perseverance and pinpoint cross to Jaminton Campaz was a top goal at this World Cup. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perseveraunce, borrowed from Anglo-French parseverance, parsevrance, borrowed from Latin persevērantia, noun derivative of persevērant-, persevērans "persisting in a course of action, steadfast," from present participle of persevērāre "to persist in a course of action or an attitude in spite of opposition, keep on" — more at persevere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perseverance

• disappearance
• incoherence
• interference
• reappearance
• adherence
• appearance
• coherence
• preclearance
• clearance
• noninterference

Kids Definition

perseverance

noun

per·​se·​ver·​ance ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s 

: the action, state, or an instance of persevering