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doggedness

/ˈdɔɡədnəs/
IPA guide

Doggedness is a quality of being stubborn and persistent, like the doggedness of a skateboarder attempting a new trick over and over again until they get it just right.

When this word was first used in the 14th century, it meant "with the qualities of a dog," but not in a good way — to be dogged was to act nasty or surly, and doggedness was a quality of cruelty, like a really mean dog might have. Both words evolved over the years and now imply persistence and tenacity, like a dog digging determinedly for a bone it has buried in the yard.

Definitions of doggedness
  1. noun
    persistent determination
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    type of:
    determination, purpose
    the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘doggedness'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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