persistently

Everyday

1. Persistently means continuing again and again without stopping or giving up. tree →
2. Persistently can mean annoyingly often: «persistently late». tree →

In the lessons

In school reports and formal letters it can be praise (worked persistently) or a complaint (persistently late, persistently talking). In science and health it describes things that go on a long time: persistently high temperature. In stories it shows determination.

Examples

• She practised the piano persistently until she got it right. tree →
• The dog barked persistently at the gate. tree →
• He was persistently late for school. tree →
• It rained persistently all week. tree →
• The child asked persistently for a puppy. tree →
• If a cough continues persistently, see a doctor. tree →
• Ants persistently searched for crumbs. tree →
• The team trained persistently and won. tree →

Note

Adverb of «persistent»; spelling -ent- not -ant-: persistently. Neutral or negative depending on context.