stubborn Meaning & Definition
What Does Stubborn Mean?
As an adjective, stubborn means Refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting; persistent in doing something. It can also mean Physically stiff and inflexible; not easily melted or worked. As a noun, it means Stubbornness. As a noun, it means A disease of citrus trees characterized by stunted growth and misshapen fruit, caused by Spiroplasma citri.
Stubborn: Key Facts
| Part of speech | adjective, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈstʌbɚn/ |
| Synonyms | dour, tenacious and obstinate |
| Antonyms | docile |
| Comparative / superlative | more stubborn, most stubborn |
Stubborn Definition (Adjective)
- Refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting; persistent in doing something.
People are pretty stubborn about their political beliefs, so why bother arguing?
- Physically stiff and inflexible; not easily melted or worked.
Stubborn as a Noun
- Stubbornness.
- Ellipsis of stubborn disease (“a disease of citrus trees”).
Noun
- A disease of citrus trees characterized by stunted growth and misshapen fruit, caused by Spiroplasma citri.
Adjective
- Of materials: physically stiff and inflexible; not easily melted or worked.
Synonyms of Stubborn
Antonyms of Stubborn
Stubborn in a Sentence
People are pretty stubborn about their political beliefs, so why bother arguing?
Blood can make a very stubborn stain on fabrics if not washed properly.
Word Forms & Grammar
stubborn (comparative more stubborn, superlative most stubborn)
stubborn (uncountable)
Origin of Stubborn
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).
Questions People Ask About Stubborn
Is stubborn an adjective or a noun?
Stubborn is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for stubborn?
Close synonyms of stubborn are dour, tenacious and obstinate. See the full list of stubborn synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of stubborn?
The opposite of stubborn is docile.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of stubborn?
The comparative form is more stubborn and the superlative form is most stubborn.