First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1adamant
noun ad·a·mant \ˈa-də-mənt, -ˌmant\
Definition of ADAMANT
1
: a stone (as a diamond) formerly believed to be of impenetrable hardness
2
: an unbreakable or extremely hard substance
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Origin of ADAMANT
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin adamant-, adamas hardest metal, diamond, from Greek
Rhymes with ADAMANT
2adamant
adjective ad·a·mant \ˈa-də-mənt, -ˌmant\
: not willing to change an opinion or decision : very determined
Full Definition of ADAMANT
: unshakable or insistent especially in maintaining a position or opinion : unyielding
— ad·a·mant·ly adverb
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Examples of ADAMANT
- I am keen not to share my genetic code with my insurer, I am keen that my doctor should know it and use it, but I am adamant to the point of fanaticism that it is my decision. —Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999
- Arrive to find child physically intact but … adamant that he will not remain another minute in Ski Bunny program. Despite their ‘professionalism,’ staff members eagerly concur. —Christopher Buckley, New Yorker, 10 Mar. 1997
- In the years following the First World War, the debts of our wartime allies and others came to be considered a serious burden on international commerce and well-being. Calvin Coolidge was adamant on repayment. —John Kenneth Galbraith, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 1986
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Origin of ADAMANT
(see 1adamant)
First Known Use: 1897
Related to ADAMANT
- Synonyms
- obstinate, adamantine, bullheaded, dogged, hard, hardened, hardheaded, hard-nosed, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inconvincible, inflexible, intransigent, mulish, obdurate, opinionated, ossified, pat, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, self-opinionated, self-willed, stiff-necked, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful (or wilful)
Synonym Discussion of ADAMANT
inflexible, obdurate, adamant mean unwilling to alter a predetermined course or purpose. inflexible implies rigid adherence or even slavish conformity to principle <inflexible in their demands>. obdurate stresses hardness of heart and insensitivity to appeals for mercy or the influence of divine grace <obdurate in his refusal to grant clemency>. adamant implies utter immovability in the face of all temptation or entreaty <adamant that the work should continue>.
ADAMANT Defined for Kids
adamant
adjective ad·a·mant \ˈa-də-mənt\
Definition of ADAMANT for Kids
: not giving in <I tried to change her mind, but she was adamant.>
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