die hard

1 of 2

phrase

1

: to be long in dying

Such rumors die hard.

2

: to continue resistance against hopeless odds

That kind of determination dies hard.

die-hard

2 of 2

adjective

ˈdī-ˌhärd 

: strongly or fanatically determined or devoted

die-hard fans

especially : strongly resisting change

a die-hard conservative

diehard noun

die-hardism

ˈdī-ˌhärd-ˌiz-əm 

noun

Synonyms of die hard

Adjective

• traditional
• conservative
• loyal
• orthodox
• staunch

Examples of die hard in a Sentence

Adjective

the die-hard purists are never going to accept certain words, no matter who uses them

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

But the belief died hard, and photography spurred its adherents on. — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Adjective

The Prince of Wales mentioned a few years ago that his eldest son is already a die-hard Aston Villa fan. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026

Now die-hard fans can watch everything (although doing so might require three separate streaming subscriptions on top of a cable package). — Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1922, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for die hard

• asgard
• backyard
• barnyard
• blackguard
• bombard
• brickyard
• canard
• churchyard
• coastguard
• courtyard
• debarred
• diehard

Kids Definition

die-hard

adjective

ˈdī-ˌhärd

: strongly or excessively determined or devoted

die-hard fans

diehard noun