The adamant meaning is refusing to be persuaded or to change your mind: completely firm about a view, a choice or a demand. If your grandfather insists on walking to the market despite the rain, and no argument will move him, he is adamant.
The word has a hard, rocky history. Long before it described stubborn people, adamant was the name of a legendary stone said to be unbreakable. That sense of something that cannot be cracked still sits behind the modern word.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
Unshakeably firm in a view or decisionPart of speech
Adjective; also an old, literary noun for a very hard stonePronunciation
AD-uh-muhnt; stress on the first syllableWord forms
adamantly (adverb), adamance (noun, rare), adamantine (adjective)Origin
Greek adamas, "unconquerable", later the name of a very hard stone; the same root gave English diamondOpposite
flexible, yielding, open-minded, unsureClose words
resolute, unyielding, insistent, determined
Adamant meaning and adamant definition
To define adamant: holding a position so firmly that pleas, facts or pressure do not shift it. It is about a specific stance at a specific time, more than a general personality trait. A usually easygoing person can be adamant about one thing, such as never driving at night.
The word is neutral on its own. Whether it sounds admirable or annoying depends on what someone is adamant about. Refusing to sign a dishonest report shows integrity; refusing to try a new dish might just be stubborn.
From a legendary stone to a firm mind
The Greek word adamas meant untameable or invincible. Ancient and medieval writers used it for the hardest substance they could imagine, sometimes meaning diamond and sometimes a magnetic stone or a purely legendary rock. Through Latin and Old French it reached English as a noun, adamant, for that unbreakable material.
The same Greek root, through Latin changes, gave English the word diamond. Poets of past centuries wrote of chains or gates "of adamant". Over time people applied the idea to will and character, and today the adjective is by far the more common use. The adjective adamantine still means extremely hard or unbreakable.
How to use adamant in a sentence
Adamant usually comes after a linking verb, often with that, about or in:
- She was adamant that she had locked the door.
- The players were adamant about finishing the match.
- He remained adamant in his refusal.
It is less common directly before a noun, but you will see an adamant refusal or an adamant supporter. The adverb adamantly is very common: adamantly opposed, adamantly denied.
Example sentences
- My sister is adamant that pineapple belongs on pizza, and nobody can change her mind.
- The principal was adamant: no phones in the exam hall.
- Local residents are adamant about keeping the park open to the public.
- He adamantly denied taking the last samosa, despite the crumbs on his shirt.
- The doctor was adamant that I rest for a full week.
Adamant compared with similar words
| Word | Flavour |
|---|---|
| Adamant | Firm about one stance; will not budge |
| Stubborn | Unwilling to change, often unreasonably; usually negative |
| Resolute | Firmly determined, usually admired |
| Insistent | Keeps demanding or repeating a point |
| Obstinate | Stubborn in a way that frustrates others |
Two related qualities have their own pages: tenacity, which is about holding on over time, and conviction, which is about a strong belief.
Mistakes people make
Spelling: it ends in -ant, not -ent. "Adament" is a frequent typo. Remember "adamANT, as firm as an ant carrying a crumb ten times its size".
Pronunciation: the stress is on AD, not on MANT. Saying uh-DAM-uhnt is a common slip.
Meaning: adamant is not the same as angry or loud. A person can be adamant while speaking softly. For more character words, browse people and feelings.
Frequently asked questions
What does adamant mean in simple words?
Very firm and unwilling to budge. Someone who is adamant keeps the same view no matter what others say.
Is it a compliment to call someone adamant?
Sometimes. Being adamant about honesty or safety is usually admired, while being adamant over small things can seem stubborn.
What is the difference between adamant and stubborn?
Adamant describes firmness about a particular point and can be neutral or positive. Stubborn suggests an unreasonable refusal to change and is usually negative.
Is there a noun for adamant?
Adamance exists but is rare. Most people use firmness or insistence. As a noun, adamant itself is an old word for a legendary unbreakable stone.
How do you pronounce adamant?
Say AD-uh-muhnt and lean on AD, which sounds just like the word add.
Can you say adamant about?
Yes. Adamant about, adamant that and adamant in are all correct, as in adamant about the deadline or adamant that it was true.