die-hard

Or die·hard

[dahy-hahrd]

noun

1. a person who vigorously maintains or defends a seemingly hopeless position, outdated attitude, lost cause, or the like.

adjective

1. resisting vigorously and stubbornly to the last; stubborn.

die-hard

noun

1. a person who resists change or who holds onto an untenable position or outdated attitude

2. (modifier) obstinately resistant to change

Other Word Forms

• die-hardism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of die-hard¹

First recorded in 1835–45; noun, adj. use of verb phrase die hard

Idioms and Phrases

Take a long time to cease to exist or be dropped from consideration. For example, Old prejudices die hard, or The more radical parts of this proposal will die hard. This idiom alludes to struggling against physical death. [Late 1700s]

Example Sentences

First seen cycling his city’s streets day and night with a becalmed sense of ownership, Holland’s Roger is a die-hard Brooklynite none too happy with the smoothing over of his cherished neighborhoods by “obscene” money.

From Los Angeles Times

When the Chargers celebrated the Dodgers’ World Series title last year, die-hard Padres fan Jefferson recoiled at the sight of a floor-to-ceiling congratulatory message in the Chargers practice facility.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s also so many people who think it’s a super die-hard Christian song and don’t like it either.

From Los Angeles Times

Bands like Baltimore’s Turnstile, Kentucky’s Knocked Loose and Santa Cruz’s Scowl have pushed the genre in new directions — gaining acclaim and popularity outside the hardcore scene, sometimes at the expense of its die-hard fans.

From Los Angeles Times

As a die-hard Kings fan, I have mixed feelings on their signing Corey Perry.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• old-line 
• uncompromising