English · Word Candidate

stubborn

/ˈstʌbɚn/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting; persistent in doing something.

Adjective

People are pretty stubborn about their political beliefs, so why bother arguing?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Physically stiff and inflexible; not easily melted or worked.

Adjective

Under his hand a stubborn latch sprung noisily […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Stubbornness.

NounRegister: informal

But I have to say that one thing you inherited from your mother is a whole lot of stubborn.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “stubborn” mean?

Refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting; persistent in doing something.

Is “stubborn” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.