persistent

Universal Words adjective 1 determined to do sth in spite of difficulties, especially when other people are against you and think that you are being annoying or unreasonable: How do you deal with persistent salesmen who won't take no for an answer? * a persistent offender (= a person who continues to commit crimes after they have been caught and punished) * She can be very persistent when she wants something. 2 continuing for a long period of time without interruption, or repeated frequently, especially in a way that is annoying and cannot be stopped: persistent rain / pain * a persistent cough * I can't take much more of this persistent criticism. * He resigned over persistent rumours of his affair with an actress. * Famine is a persistent problem in many parts of the world. persistently adverb: They have persistently denied claims of illegal dealing. * persistently high interest rates * a prison for juveniles who persistently reoffend