Resolute means determined and unwavering, holding firmly to your purpose even when things get difficult. When you're resolute, you don't give up easily or let obstacles shake your commitment.

Picture a student who's resolute about learning to play the violin. Even when her fingers ache and the notes come out scratchy, she practices every day. She doesn't quit when practice gets boring or frustrating. That steady determination is what makes her resolute.

The word carries a sense of inner strength and firmness. Someone who's merely stubborn might refuse to change their mind for no good reason, but a resolute person has thought about their goal and decided it's worth the effort. A resolute scientist keeps experimenting despite failed attempts. A resolute athlete trains through setbacks and injuries.

You might hear someone speak with a resolute tone of voice, meaning they sound firm and decided. Or you might read about a leader making a resolute decision, one made with conviction and unlikely to be reversed. The noun form is resolve, as in “her resolve never wavered.” When facing a genuine challenge, being resolute means you've made up your mind to see it through.