tenacious
gb/tənˈeɪʃəs/ us/tənˈeɪʃəs/
C1
English
kitartó, szilárd, szívós, makacs
C1
1
kitartó
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is tenacious (in [doing something])
She was tenacious in her job search, applying every day until she got an offer.
Kitartó volt az álláskeresésben: minden nap jelentkezett, amíg nem kapott egy állásajánlatot.
The team stayed tenacious and came back after being down by two goals.
A csapat kitartó maradt, és kétgólos hátrányból is visszajött.
He’s a tenacious negotiator who rarely accepts the first proposal.
Learner examples
She is tenacious and never gives up.
Kitartó, és soha nem adja fel.
Be tenacious when you study for exams.
Légy kitartó, amikor a vizsgákra készülsz.
Common mistake:
Often confused with "tenuous" (meaning weak or uncertain) or misspelled as "tendacious."
Meaning
very determined; won’t give up
Collocations
tenacious effort
|tenacious determination
|tenacious pursuit
|tenacious competitor
|tenacious fighter
|tenacious advocate
|tenacious resistance
|tenacious campaign
|tenacious attitude
|tenacious negotiator
Synonyms
persistent (More neutral and common; less forceful.)
|
determined (Emphasizes having a clear goal.)
|
relentless (Stronger; can sound aggressive or negative.)
|
resolute (More formal; suggests firm decision-making.)
Antonyms
easily discouraged (Gives up quickly when facing difficulty.)
|
wavering (Lacks steady commitment.)
|
yielding (Gives in to pressure rather than persisting.)
Themes
personality
|work
|achievement
|emotions
Definition
If you are tenacious, you keep trying and do not give up easily.
Continuing to try or hold on to something with strong determination, even when it is difficult or takes a long time.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
a tenacious grip/hold on [something]
The climber kept a tenacious grip on the rope.
A mászó szilárd fogással tartotta a kötelet.
The tape formed a tenacious bond with the plastic surface.
A ragasztószalag szilárd kötést hozott létre a műanyag felülettel.
I pulled for minutes, but the plant’s tenacious roots wouldn’t come free.
Learner examples
He has a tenacious grip on the bag.
Erősen fogja a táskát.
The weed has tenacious roots.
A gyomnak szívós gyökerei vannak.
Common mistake:
Learners may use it for any strong object; it usually implies resisting being pulled away or separated.
Meaning
holding on tightly; hard to pull off
Collocations
tenacious grip
|tenacious hold
|tenacious roots
|tenacious vine
|tenacious claws
|tenacious attachment
|tenacious adhesive
|tenacious bond
|tenacious weed
|tenacious sucker
Synonyms
firm (General; less vivid about resisting removal.)
|
tight (Focuses on pressure rather than stubborn holding.)
|
clinging (Often negative; suggests unwanted attachment.)
Antonyms
loose (Not held securely; easy to detach.)
|
weak (Lacking strength to hold firmly.)
Themes
daily_life
|nature
|materials
Definition
If something is tenacious, it holds on very tightly.
Holding firmly to something; not easily loosened, removed, or shaken off.
C1
3
makacs
B1
Usage pattern:
a tenacious [stain/smell/dirt]
There’s a tenacious stain on the carpet that won’t come out.
Van egy makacs folt a szőnyegen, ami nem jön ki.
The garage had a tenacious smell of gasoline.
A garázsban makacs benzinszag terjengett.
Soap helped, but the tenacious grease still clung to the pan.
Learner examples
This is a tenacious stain.
Ez egy makacs folt.
The smell is tenacious and won’t go away.
A szag makacs, és nem akar elmúlni.
Common mistake:
This sense is most natural with stains, smells, dirt, grease, and similar things; for ideas or beliefs, use the more general ‘persistent’ sense.
Meaning
hard to remove; doesn’t go away
Collocations
tenacious stain
|tenacious odor
|tenacious smell
|tenacious grease
|tenacious dirt
|tenacious residue
|tenacious grime
|tenacious mold
|tenacious ink
|tenacious discoloration
Synonyms
stubborn (Common and informal; often used for stains or problems.)
|
ingrained (Suggests something that has soaked in deeply.)
|
persistent (More general; less specific to cleaning/removal.)
Antonyms
removable (Can be taken off without much effort.)
|
fleeting (Doesn’t last; disappears quickly.)
Themes
daily_life
|home
|cleaning
Definition
A tenacious stain or smell is very difficult to remove.
Difficult to remove, clean, or get rid of; lingering despite effort.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tenacious
IPA
GB/tənˈeɪʃəs/
US/tənˈeɪʃəs/
Syllables & stress
ten - a - cious (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (a)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: tenacious
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.