B2 adjective Neutral

adversity

/ədˈvɜːrsəti/

Adversity refers to a state of serious or continued difficulty, misfortune, or hardship. It describes a situation or event that is difficult to deal with and requires strength or resilience to overcome.

Examples

3 of 5
1

She managed to maintain a positive attitude despite facing great personal adversity.

She managed to maintain a positive attitude despite facing great personal adversity.

2

The nation demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of economic adversity.

The nation demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of economic adversity.

3

Even after all that adversity he went through, he is still the kindest guy I know.

Even after all that adversity he went through, he is still the kindest guy I know.

Word Family

Noun
adversity
Adverb
adversely
Adjective
adverse
Related
adversary
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Adversity' as the 'University' of hard knocks—it is a difficult place where you learn valuable life lessons through struggle.

Quick Quiz

The young entrepreneur showed great spirit by refusing to give up in the face of ____.

Correct!

The correct answer is: adversity

Examples

1

She managed to maintain a positive attitude despite facing great personal adversity.

everyday

She managed to maintain a positive attitude despite facing great personal adversity.

2

The nation demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of economic adversity.

formal

The nation demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of economic adversity.

3

Even after all that adversity he went through, he is still the kindest guy I know.

informal

Even after all that adversity he went through, he is still the kindest guy I know.

4

Psychologists study the various ways in which individuals respond to childhood adversity.

academic

Psychologists study the various ways in which individuals respond to childhood adversity.

5

Our firm has a history of turning adversity into a competitive advantage.

business

Our firm has a history of turning adversity into a competitive advantage.

Word Family

Noun
adversity
Adverb
adversely
Adjective
adverse
Related
adversary

Common Collocations

face adversity face adversity
overcome adversity overcome adversity
economic adversity economic adversity
personal adversity personal adversity
triumph over adversity triumph over adversity

Common Phrases

in the face of adversity

in the face of adversity

triumph over adversity

triumph over adversity

adversity builds character

adversity builds character

Often Confused With

adversity vs adversary

An adversary is an opponent or enemy (a person), while adversity is a difficult situation or hardship (a state).

adversity vs adverse

Adverse is the adjective form meaning harmful or unfavorable, whereas adversity is the noun.

📝

Usage Notes

Adversity is often used in inspirational contexts to discuss how people grow or succeed despite having a hard life. While it can be plural (adversities), it is most frequently used as an uncountable noun to describe a general state of hardship.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 'adversity' to refer to a person they are competing against; the correct word for a person is 'adversary'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Adversity' as the 'University' of hard knocks—it is a difficult place where you learn valuable life lessons through struggle.

📖

Word Origin

From Middle English 'adversite', derived from the Latin 'adversitas', meaning 'opposition' or 'misfortune'.

Grammar Patterns

Usually uncountable Often used with the preposition 'in' Commonly follows verbs like 'face', 'overcome', or 'survive'
🌍

Cultural Context

In many cultures, particularly in the U.S. and U.K., 'overcoming adversity' is a central theme in literature and motivational speaking, symbolizing personal strength.

Quick Quiz

The young entrepreneur showed great spirit by refusing to give up in the face of ____.

Correct!

The correct answer is: adversity

Related Words

homovitic

C1

Relating to or characterized by having the same life force, essential vitality, or fundamental biological nature. It is an obscure term used in high-level academic or philosophical contexts to describe entities that share a common living essence.

homosistness

C1

To actively process or adjust diverse elements within a system to ensure they achieve a state of internal uniformity or structural consistency. It involves the standardization of variables to eliminate outliers and maintain a balanced, predictable output.

semichromity

C1

Describing a visual state or quality characterized by partial coloration or muted chromatic intensity. It refers to an appearance that is neither fully monochrome nor fully saturated, often used to describe images or materials with limited color range.

bipathency

C1

The state or quality of having two distinct paths, routes, or channels available for passage or communication. It often refers to a system or anatomical structure where two separate ways are simultaneously open or functional, providing redundancy or dual access.

monoannfy

C1

Characterized by a singular, repetitive annual recurrence that lacks variation or excitement. It describes processes or states that follow an unyielding, once-yearly pattern, often leading to a sense of predictable stagnation.

compathness

C1

To actively harmonize or align individual emotional states and professional trajectories within a group setting. It refers to the process of integrating empathy into a shared strategic path to ensure collective success.

misaudcy

C1

Describing a state or tendency to misinterpret spoken information or auditory cues, often leading to confusion or errors in communication. It characterizes someone who frequently 'slips' when listening or perceives sounds incorrectly.

contrafractward

C1

To shift or move an object or structure in a specific direction intended to counteract or resist an impending fracture or break. It is typically used in technical contexts to describe corrective maneuvering that prevents structural failure.

univerbor

C1

Relating to or characterized by the linguistic process where a phrase or sequence of words becomes a single word over time. It describes the morphological fusion of distinct elements into a unified lexeme, such as 'nevertheless' or 'goodbye'.

foreacrtude

C1

Describing a state of proactive mental sharpness and foresight, specifically used to characterize an individual or strategy that anticipates future challenges with acute precision. It combines the prefix 'fore-' (before) with a root suggesting sharpness or acidity of mind, indicating a high level of preparedness and perceptive planning.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free