Adversity

/ədˈvɜːrsɪti/

nounIntermediateCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

A state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune.

/ədˈvɜːrsɪti/

nounnegativeIntermediate
General

Difficult circumstances or misfortune.

Overcoming adversity is a key to success.

💡 Simply: Hard times or bad luck.

More Examples

2

The team showed great strength in the face of adversity.

How It's Used

Life experiences

"She faced adversity with courage and resilience."

Business

"The company overcame significant financial adversity."

Idioms & expressions

in the face of adversity

Despite difficult circumstances.

"They persevered in the face of adversity."

From Old French adversité, from Latin adversitas, from adversus "opposite, against."

The word has been used to describe difficult circumstances since the Middle Ages.

Memory tip

Think of 'ad' (against) and 'versity' (fortune) - fortune against you.

advesityadversitysadversitee

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written