die-hard

US: (dī′härd′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈdie-ˌhard or ˈdieˌhard, n. [countable]

1. a person who vigorously resists change:
   Some of the die-hards refused to accept the new government.

adj. [usually: before a noun]

2. resistant to change.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

die-hard  (dī′härd′), n. 

1. a person who vigorously maintains or defends a seemingly hopeless position, outdated attitude, lost cause, or the like.

adj. 

2. resisting vigorously and stubbornly to the last;
   stubborn.

Also, die′hard′. 

• noun, nominal, adjective, adjectival use of verb, verbal phrase die hard 1835–45

die′-hard′ism, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

die-hard noun

1. a person who resists change or who holds onto an untenable position or outdated attitude
2. (modifier) obstinately resistant to change