Basic Details
Word: Obstinate
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Refusing to change your mind or your behaviour, even when you should; very stubborn. It also describes something hard to get rid of.
Synonyms: stubborn, headstrong, inflexible, obdurate
Antonyms: flexible, agreeable, cooperative, docile
Word origin: From the Latin obstinatus, from a verb meaning to persist or stand firm.
How to Spell Obstinate
Syllables: ob - sti - nate
Tricky part: The middle syllable has i (sti), though it is said so lightly that students write e or a. The end is ate, not et or ent.
Watch out for: obstinet, obstenate, obstinite
Memory tip: Say it in three firm beats: ob - sti - nate. The middle has the i of stiff, and an obstinate person is stiff and will not bend.
Usage Examples
Example 1: My obstinate little sister will not eat anything green.
Example 2: The minister stayed obstinate even after the protest.
Example 3: Grandma rubbed the obstinate stain with lemon and salt.
Fun Fact
Doctors use obstinate for illnesses too: an obstinate cough or fever is one that will not go away.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word obstinate as it is used in the sentence:
The obstinate goat refused to cross the bridge, however hard the farmer pulled the rope.
a) flexible
b) frightened
c) gentle
d) stubborn
Show answer
d) stubborn. A goat that will not move whatever happens is stubborn.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
obst_n_te
a) i, a
b) e, a
c) i, i
d) a, i
Show answer
a) i, a. Ob-sti-nate: i in the middle beat and a in the last.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. arrogent 2. rebelious 3. persistant 4. obstinate
a) refusing to change your mind, however good the reasons
b) fighting against people in authority
c) carrying on firmly for a long time
d) proud and thinking you are better than others
Show answer
a) refusing to change your mind, however good the reasons. Arrogant ends in ant, rebellious needs two l's and persistent ends in ent, which leaves obstinate.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which person is being obstinate?
a) Kabir, who listens to both sides of a quarrel
b) Tara, who asks her teacher for help with maths
c) Meena, who changes her plan after good advice
d) Raj, who will not take a raincoat though it is pouring
Show answer
d) Raj, who will not take a raincoat though it is pouring
2. An obstinate stain is one that ____.
a) is very hard to remove
b) is bright red
c) smells strongly
d) washes out at once
Show answer
a) is very hard to remove
