stamina
B2Neutral to formal, common in sports, health, and business contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The physical or mental strength and energy to do something for a long time without getting tired.
The ability of a system, material, or organization to withstand pressure, difficulty, or prolonged use.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an uncountable noun. Can refer to both physical endurance (e.g., in sports) and mental endurance (e.g., in a long meeting). Implies sustained effort over time rather than short bursts of energy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Equally positive in both varieties, associated with resilience and perseverance.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English in sports journalism; equally common in general use.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have the stamina to + infinitivestamina for + noun/gerundstamina of + noun (e.g., the stamina of a marathon runner)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with 'stamina' as the key word. Often used in expressions like 'a test of stamina'.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a company's ability to survive market challenges or an employee's capacity for sustained hard work.
Academic
Used in sports science, psychology, and materials science to discuss endurance properties.
Everyday
Common in discussions about fitness, long trips, parenting, or demanding tasks.
Technical
In biology/medicine: the innate capacity of an organism to withstand stress. In engineering: the endurance limit of a material.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form. The related concept is 'to stamina' is non-existent.]
American English
- [No standard verb form.]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form derived from 'stamina'.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form derived from 'stamina'.]
adjective
British English
- stamina-sapping heat
- a stamina-testing expedition
American English
- stamina-draining workout
- a stamina-building regimen
Examples
By CEFR Level
- You need good stamina to play football for 90 minutes.
- She doesn't have the stamina for a long walk.
- Building physical stamina requires regular exercise.
- The job demands both mental stamina and creativity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STAMmer who needs great mental STAMINA to keep speaking fluently in a long conversation.
Conceptual Metaphor
STAMINA IS A FUEL TANK (you need a full tank for a long journey). STAMINA IS A MUSCLE (it can be built up with training).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'выносливость' (endurance) in all contexts – they are direct synonyms. No major trap, it's a straightforward loanword ('ста́мина').
Common Mistakes
- Using as a countable noun (e.g., 'He has many staminas' – INCORRECT). Confusing with 'stamen' (part of a flower).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'stamina' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is commonly used for both physical and mental endurance (e.g., 'mental stamina for exams').
No, 'stamina' is almost always an uncountable noun. Do not use a plural form.
'Energy' is the capacity for activity in general, while 'stamina' specifically refers to sustaining that activity over a long period.
It is neutral. It is appropriate in both everyday conversation and formal writing (e.g., academic or business reports).
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