Stubborn is the adjective meaning unyielding or resistant to change, often describing a person who refuses to adjust their views or plans. It can function as a trait descriptor with a slightly negative connotation, implying persistence in a way that blocks flexibility. It is not commonly a noun in standard usage, though in some contexts people may jokingly refer to a “stubborn” as a stubborn person.
"She’s so stubborn that even gentle persuasion rarely works."
"The dog refused to move, stubbornly planted in front of the door."
"Despite new evidence, he remained stubborn in his opinion."
"The committee’s stubborn stance slowed progress on the project."
The adjective stubborn derives from Middle English stubborn, from Old English stubb; related to stobna, stubon, from Proto-Germanic *stubna- meaning “stump, block,” reflecting a stubborn, hard, immovable nature. The sense of obstinacy emerged in the late Old English/early Middle English period as a figurative extension from “stubborn, firm, hard” objects to people who were hard-hearted or resistant to change. Over centuries, the term carried both neutral senses (firm, steadfast) and negative connotations (obstinate, unyielding). By Early Modern English, stubborn often described people who refused to yield in arguments or decisions, and the word’s pejorative nuance has persisted in contemporary usage. First known written appearances appear in 13th-14th centuries English manuscripts, with the sense gradually shifting toward personality traits rather than physical stiffness alone. Modern usage retains both meanings, though “stubborn” commonly conveys mild to strong disapproval depending on tone and context, and it frequently collocates with verbs of resistance like resist, refuse, argue, persist.
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Words that rhyme with "Stubborn"
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Pronounced /ˈstʌbərn/ in US and UK general speech, with the first syllable stressed. The vowel in the first syllable is the short /ʌ/ as in 'cup.' The second syllable reduces to a schwa-like /ə/ or /ər/ before /n/. In connected speech you may hear /ˈstʌbən/ with a light rhotic or non-rhotic ending depending on the accent. Mouth posture: start with a relaxed open jaw for /s/ into /t/ with a quick stop, then a short /ʌ/ before the /b/ and the light /ər/ or /ən/ ending. Audio reference: see standard dictionaries or Pronounce for an audio example.
Two frequent errors: 1) Making the second syllable too strong, saying /ˈstʌbərn/ with a full /ər/ instead of a reduced schwa; keep /ə/ or /ər/ light and quick. 2) Slurring the /b/ and /n/ together, producing /ˈstʌbərn/ with a blurred boundary; aim for a crisp /b/ closure followed by an audible but short /n/. Practice by isolating /ˈstʌb/ then gently release into /ərn/; use a short vowel in the second syllable and avoid over-pronouncing the /r/ in non-rhotic varieties.
In General American and most UK dialects, /ˈstʌbərn/ with a reduced second syllable. In rhotic US accents, /ˈstʌbərn/ retains a subtle rhotic quality on the /r/; in non-rhotic UK accents, the /r/ is not pronounced unless followed by a vowel, so the ending may sound closer to /ˈstʌbəŋ/. Australian English typically keeps a similar /ˈstʌbən/ with a light, quick second syllable and less pronounced /r/. The key variation is the second syllable vowel quality and rhoticity; focus on reducing the second syllable to /ə/ or /ə/ in most dialects.
Two main obstacles: the second syllable’s reduced vowel and the adjacent /b/—/n/ cluster, which can blur in casual speech. The first syllable houses a tense /ʌ/ vowel followed by a voiced alveolar stop /b/, which can cause a momentary glide or lengthening for some speakers. Additionally, the combination /bər/ can lead to mispronunciations like /ˈstʌbɑrn/ or overemphasizing the /r/ in non-rhotic dialects. Practice keeping the /ə/ light and quick, with a clean boundary between /b/ and /ə/.
A unique feature is the light, almost unstressed second syllable; think of a soft /ə/ or /ən/ rather than a full vowel in many dialects. The stress remains on the first syllable. Practicing a tiny lift for the /t/ release just before the /ʌ/ can help you keep the timing precise, especially when saying quickly. Visualize the mouth as starting with a short, sharp /st/ onset, then a quick /ʌ/ followed by a clipped /bə/ leading into a soft /n/.
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