Tenacity
/təˈnæsəti/
nounC1
Definition
Tenacity is the strong will to keep trying and to hold on to something without giving up. It shows a person’s ability to continue working hard or staying focused despite problems or challenges.
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See It in Action
The quality of being very determined and persistent
- •Her tenacity helped her finish the marathon despite the pain.
- •The team showed great tenacity in winning the game after being behind.
- •Success often comes from tenacity, not just talent.
The ability to hold firmly to something physically or mentally
- •The tenacity of the glue made the paper stick well.
- •His tenacity in remembering details impressed everyone.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "tenacity" like "hard work," but with a stronger meaning—it means never stopping or quitting, even when things get tough.
- ✓Picture a small dog holding tightly to a bone and refusing to let go, no matter what.
- ✓It’s the feeling you have when you keep practicing something again and again because you really want to succeed.
- ✓Sounds like “ten-a-city” → imagine a city that stands strong and never falls, no matter how strong the storm.
- ✓Think of famous athletes or inventors who kept trying for years without giving up, like Thomas Edison.
- ✓NOT like "luck" (something that happens by chance), tenacity is about effort and strong will.
- ✓NOT like "giving up" or "quit," it is the opposite: holding on tightly to your goal.
- ✓NOT like "easy work," tenacity involves working hard even when it is difficult or frustrating.
Try Other Words
- •Determination: strong decision to do something (Use when focusing on the decision to do something, less about holding on)
- •Persistence: continuing to do something despite problems (Use when emphasizing steady effort over time)
- •Grit: courage and strength to continue (Use for informal or emotional meaning of strong will)
- •Stubbornness: refusing to change (Use carefully—sometimes negative, unlike positive "tenacity")
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ten-" (from Latin root related to "hold") + "-acity" (a suffix meaning quality or state)
- •Etymology: From Latin "tenax" meaning "holding fast, persistent"
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe physical holding or gripping, later used for mental or emotional strength
- •Modern usage: Used to describe strong will, persistence, and determination in many areas like work, sports, and personal goals
- •Key insight: Tenacity is about holding on firmly, not just trying once or twice but many times without giving up
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when your tenacity helped you achieve something difficult?
•How is tenacity different from just working hard? When might one be more important than the other?
Fill in the blanks
1.Her tenacity ___ her to keep studying even when the material was very hard.
2.The team's tenacity in the last minutes of the game ___ them the victory.
3.Tenacity is different from luck because it depends on ___ effort, not chance.
4.He showed great tenacity by ___ on to his dream despite many failures.
5.You often hear about tenacity ___ success in sports and business.
6.Unlike quitting, tenacity means you ___ to your goals no matter what.
7.The tenacity of the material made it ___ to break under pressure.