stick-to-itiveness

Meanings

1. 1noununcountableinformal

   The quality of continuing to work at a difficult task until it is finished, without giving up.

   Grammar: Uncountable: it has no plural and takes a singular verb, as in 'Her stick-to-itiveness is impressive.'

   Patterns

   • have stick-to-itiveness
   • show stick-to-itiveness
   • need stick-to-itiveness

   Finishing the course took real stick-to-itiveness, especially in the final months.

   The coach praised the team's stick-to-itiveness after they came back from two goals down.

   She has the kind of stick-to-itiveness that turns a small idea into a business.

2. 2noununcountableinformaldisapproving

   The habit of refusing to change your plans or opinions even when other people disagree.

   Grammar: Also uncountable, and here it can sound slightly critical rather than admiring.

   Patterns

   • sheer stick-to-itiveness
   • nothing but stick-to-itiveness

   His stick-to-itiveness in meetings sometimes looks more like stubbornness.

   What she calls stick-to-itiveness, her colleagues call refusing to listen.

Common combinations

sheer stick-to-itiveness

Winning the contract was down to sheer stick-to-itiveness.

a lot of stick-to-itiveness

Learning an instrument as an adult takes a lot of stick-to-itiveness.

show stick-to-itiveness

Employers like candidates who show stick-to-itiveness.

lack stick-to-itiveness

He does not lack talent; he lacks stick-to-itiveness.

admire someone's stick-to-itiveness

I admire her stick-to-itiveness, even when I disagree with her.

Synonyms and how they differ

persistence

The neutral, more formal choice; it fits essays and reports where stick-to-itiveness would sound too casual.

perseverance

Slightly more formal and often suggests patient effort over a long period, especially through real hardship.

determination

Focuses on the strong will to succeed rather than on the long, repeated effort itself.

tenacity

Stronger and more formal; it often suggests holding on to a goal or position very firmly.

Opposites

Word family

stick-to-it adjective

Informal, meaning not giving up: 'a stick-to-it attitude'.

stick at phrasal verb

British phrasal verb meaning to keep working at something: 'She stuck at her studies.'

Commonly confused: stick-to-itiveness or stickability?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “stick-to-itiveness”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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