First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
persevere
verb per·se·vere \ˌpər-sə-ˈvir\
: to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult
per·se·veredper·se·ver·ing
Full Definition of PERSEVERE
intransitive verb
: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement
— per·se·ver·ing·ly adverb
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Origin of PERSEVERE
Middle English, from Anglo-French parseverer, from Latin perseverare, from per- through + severus severe
Rhymes with PERSEVERE
Agadir, atmosphere, auctioneer, balladeer, bandolier, bathysphere, bayadere, Bedfordshire, Bedivere, belvedere, bend one's ear, biosphere, bombardier, boutonniere, brigadier, buccaneer, budgeteer, Cambridgeshire, cameleer, cannoneer, canyoneer, cassimere, cavalier, chandelier, chanticleer, chevalier, chiffonier, chocolatier, chromosphere, commandeer, corsetiere, crystal clear, cuirassier, Derbyshire, diapir, disappear, domineer, ecosphere, Elzevir, engineer, exosphere, fallow deer, fictioneer, financier, fiscal year, fourdrinier, fusilier, gadgeteer, gasolier, gazetteer, ginger beer, Gloucestershire, gondolier, grenadier, Guinevere, hemisphere, Hertfordshire, Holy Year, inner ear, insincere, interfere, in the clear, jardiniere, junketeer, kerseymere, landing gear, lavaliere, marketeer, Meyerbeer, middle ear, missileer, mountaineer, muleteer, musketeer, mutineer, on one's ear, outer ear, overhear, overseer, oversteer, Oxfordshire, pamphleteer, photosphere, pioneer, pistoleer, privateer, profiteer, puppeteer, racketeer, rocketeer, running gear, scrutineer, sloganeer, sonneteer, souvenir, Staffordshire, steering gear, stratosphere, summiteer, swimmer's ear, thermosphere, troposphere, Tyne and Wear, understeer, vintage year, Vladimir, volunteer, Warwickshire, Windermere, yesteryear
PERSEVERING Defined for Kids
persevere
verb per·se·vere \ˌpər-sə-ˈvir\
per·se·veredper·se·ver·ing
Definition of PERSEVERE for Kids
: to keep trying to do something in spite of difficulties <She persevered in learning to speak French.>
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