¹adamant

noun ad·a·mant \ˈa-də-mənt, -ˌmant\

Definition of ADAMANT

: a stone (as a diamond) formerly believed to be of impenetrable hardness

: an unbreakable or extremely hard substance

See adamant defined for kids

Origin of ADAMANT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin adamant-, adamas hardest metal, diamond, from Greek

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with ADAMANT

commandant, complaisant, confidant, confidante, cormorant, corposant, Corybant, covenant, dilettante, disenchant, gallivant, hierophant, interplant, pitcher plant, power plant, rubber plant, spider plant, sycophant

²adamant

adjective ad·a·mant \ˈa-də-mənt, -ˌmant\

: not willing to change an opinion or decision : very determined

Full Definition of ADAMANT

: unshakable or insistent especially in maintaining a position or opinion : unyielding

— ad·a·mant·ly adverb

See adamant defined for English-language learners

Examples of ADAMANT

I am keen not to share my genetic code with my insurer, I am keen that my doctor should know it and use it, but I am adamant to the point of fanaticism that it is my decision. —Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999
Arrive to find child physically intact but … adamant that he will not remain another minute in Ski Bunny program. Despite their ‘professionalism,’ staff members eagerly concur. —Christopher Buckley, New Yorker, 10 Mar. 1997
In the years following the First World War, the debts of our wartime allies and others came to be considered a serious burden on international commerce and well-being. Calvin Coolidge was adamant on repayment. —John Kenneth Galbraith, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 1986
[+]more [-]hide

Origin of ADAMANT

(see ¹adamant)

First Known Use: 1897

Related to ADAMANT

Synonyms: obstinate, adamantine, bullheaded, dogged, hard, hardened, hardheaded, hard-nosed, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inconvincible, inflexible, intransigent, mulish, obdurate, opinionated, ossified, pat, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, self-opinionated, self-willed, stiff-necked, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful (or wilful)

Antonyms: acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, compliant, complying, flexible, pliable, pliant, relenting, yielding

Synonym Discussion of ADAMANT

inflexible, obdurate, adamant mean unwilling to alter a predetermined course or purpose. inflexible implies rigid adherence or even slavish conformity to principle <inflexible in their demands>. obdurate stresses hardness of heart and insensitivity to appeals for mercy or the influence of divine grace <obdurate in his refusal to grant clemency>. adamant implies utter immovability in the face of all temptation or entreaty <adamant that the work should continue>.

ADAMANT Defined for Kids