adamant
C1Formal to neutral; common in written and spoken discourse to emphasize firmness.
Definition
Meaning
Utterly unyielding or firm in attitude or opinion; refusing to be persuaded.
Can also refer to something extremely hard or unbreakable in a metaphorical sense, such as a person's resolve or a position that cannot be changed.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as an adjective describing a person's attitude. Historically also a noun for a legendary hard substance (e.g., diamond), but this is now archaic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use it as an adjective with the same force.
Connotations
Suggests stubbornness, but often with a positive connotation of principled determination.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK English in formal writing, but widely understood and used in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be/become/remain] adamant that + clause[be/become/remain] adamant about + noun/gerund[be/become/remain] adamant in + noun/gerundVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “adamant as a rock”
- “heart/mind of adamant (archaic/literary)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in negotiations or decisions: 'The board was adamant about the merger terms.'
Academic
Used to describe theoretical positions or scholarly resolve: 'She was adamant in her interpretation of the data.'
Everyday
Describing personal decisions: 'He's adamant he won't go to the party.'
Technical
Rare; potentially in legal contexts describing an unwavering stance: 'The defendant was adamant in his plea.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- She remained adamant that the report needed further review.
- The council was adamant in its refusal to grant planning permission.
American English
- He was adamant about getting a refund.
- The CEO is adamant on implementing the new policy immediately.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My mother was adamant: I had to finish my homework.
- He is adamant he saw a fox in the garden.
- Despite the pressure, she remained adamant that the project deadline was unrealistic.
- The union leaders are adamant about not accepting the pay offer.
- The ambassador was adamant in her denial of any diplomatic misconduct.
- Historians are adamant that this interpretation of events is fundamentally flawed.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ADAM' being 'ANT' (against) changing his mind. Adam the ant is unyielding.
Conceptual Metaphor
FIRMNESS IS HARDNESS / RESOLVE IS A SOLID OBJECT (e.g., 'He was rock-solid in his decision').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'адамант' (a rare/poetic term for diamond). The primary translation is 'непреклонный', 'непоколебимый'.
- Do not use 'упрямый' (stubborn) as a direct equivalent in formal contexts, as 'adamant' is less pejorative.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He adamanted' – INCORRECT).
- Misspelling as 'addamant' or 'adamint'.
- Confusing with 'ardent' (which means enthusiastic).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'adamant' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is context-dependent. It can be positive (principled, determined) or negative (stubborn, inflexible). The tone is set by the situation.
Historically, yes, to mean a legendary hard substance. In modern English, it is almost exclusively an adjective. The noun use is archaic or poetic.
'Adamant' often implies a firmness based on principle or conviction, and is more formal. 'Stubborn' is more informal and generally carries a stronger negative connotation of unreasonable refusal to change.
The most common are 'that' (+ clause), 'about' (+ noun/gerund), and 'in' (+ noun/gerund). Example: 'She was adamant that he leave.' / 'He was adamant about leaving.' / 'They were adamant in their refusal.'
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