DIEHARD

Diehard, commonly written die-hard, is an English adjective and noun used to describe someone who is extremely determined, stubborn, or loyal. As an adjective, it describes tenacious behavior or beliefs; as a noun, a die-hard is a person characterized by such tenacity, often a fan or supporter who remains committed despite opposition.

Etymology and form: The term is a compound of die and hard. The hyphenated form die-hard is standard in formal writing; in informal contexts a closed variant diehard may appear, and sometimes the term is used as an adjective without a hyphen in modern style guides.

Usage: Die-hard is common in sports, entertainment, and political discourse. It collocates with fan, supporter, advocate, and conservative or loyalist. It can carry a pejorative nuance when describing resistance to change.

See also: The title Die Hard refers to the 1988 action film and its sequels; this film title is distinct from the generic term and is usually written as two words. The similarity has led to occasional confusion in casual references.