Endurance: Word Meaning, Examples, Origin & Usage in IELTS

While some words carry the power of action, others carry the power of persistence. Today’s word of the day, ‘endurance’, belongs to the second category. It represents the mental and physical strength needed to push forward when circumstances test our resilience, whether in academics, sports, personal life, or societal growth, making it one of the essential words to add to the advanced vocabulary word list for IELTS.

In this blog post, we will examine the meaning, origin, history, synonyms, and antonyms of the word, as well as its proper usage of the term ‘endurance’ within the context of IELTS, reinforcing our understanding through practical exercises.

Meaning of 'Endurance'

• Pronunciation: /ɪnˈdʊrəns/ (sounds like uhn·dyoh·ruhns)

The noun ‘endurance’ refers to the ability to continue doing something difficult over a long period without giving up. It can express emotional, physical, or psychological strength, and is not about sudden breakthroughs but about lasting determination, continued effort, and the ability to withstand challenges over time. 

Common Collocations with ‘Endurance’

Learning collocations helps produce natural-sounding academic English. So, here are the top important collocations for IELTS related to ‘endurance’.

• Verb + Endurance
  • Build endurance
  • Test endurance
• Adjective + Endurance
  • Long-term endurance
  • Mental endurance
  • Physical endurance

History and Origin of ‘Endurance’

The word ‘endurance’ comes from the Old French term endurer, meaning ‘to make hard or tough’, which itself is derived from the Latin verb ‘indurare’ - ‘in’ (within) and ‘durus’ (hard or strong). Over time, its meaning evolved from simply ‘to last’ to the modern idea of withstanding hardship, fatigue, emotional difficulty, or long periods of stress. 

Endurance has historically been associated with physical feats such as long-distance running, exploration, and surviving harsh environments, which is why it often appears in motivational, athletic, and personal development contexts. 

The word also finds a modern cultural reference in the science-fiction game ‘Endurance’, where characters must survive dangerous conditions aboard a spaceship, emphasizing not only physical resilience but also psychological strength, which perfectly reflects the original meaning of pushing through difficulty despite overwhelming challenges.

Usage & Examples of 'Endurance'

Let us look at some example sentences where the word ‘endurance’ has been used in various contexts.

• Caffeine has long been used to increase physical endurance in both humans and animals.
• Now that was a feat of ability, patience, and sheer physical endurance.
• It takes them to the limits of physical endurance, then asks for more.
• Strength and physical endurance would rocket as blood surged around their systems with unprecedented vigour.
• Success in higher education demands both intellectual skill and long-term endurance.
• The community showed remarkable endurance during the economic crisis.
• Learning a foreign language tests a learner’s mental endurance and consistency.
• Personal growth often begins with the endurance to persist during difficult phases.

IELTS Usage of ‘Endurance’

In IELTS, you might often need to talk about challenges, achievements, hobbies, or training experiences. During such discussions, ‘endurance’ provides a high-level word to describe long-term effort naturally. So, let us explore some IELTS Writing Task 2 and Speaking sample answers where the word has been included in the right context.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

• Question: Do people today need more patience than in the past?
• Sample Answer: “Modern life is more fast-paced, competitive, and demanding, which means individuals often need higher emotional and mental endurance. Work pressure, academic competition, and social comparisons challenge young people constantly. However, access to technology and support systems can also make developing endurance easier.”

IELTS Writing Task 2

• Topic: Some people believe that success requires talent, while others think that tolerance and hard work are more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Answer Excerpt: Talent is undoubtedly useful in fields such as music, sports, or mathematics, as it gives individuals a natural advantage. However, without endurance and consistent effort, talent alone does not guarantee long-term success. 

Synonyms and Antonyms of 'Endurance'

Given below, in the table, you will find some close synonyms and antonyms of the word ‘endurance’, each explained with a sample sentence.

Exercises to Master the Meaning of ‘Endurance’

It is time to take the following exercises to test your understanding and improve your grasp of the word ‘endurance’.

1 In which sentence is ‘endurance’ being used to express mental rather than physical resilience?

A Soldiers demonstrated endurance during a 40-kilometre march in harsh conditions.

B The team’s endurance was evident as they continued innovating despite repeated funding failures.

C The mountain climber’s endurance allowed him to complete the ascent without rest.

D The hydration strategy helped athletes maintain endurance in hot weather.

2 Which sentence uses ‘endurance’ incorrectly?

A Marathon runners must build remarkable endurance to maintain speed for hours.

B The cultural endurance of ancient rituals reflects their lasting influence on society.

C The professor asked students to submit an endurance of their research topics by Monday.

D The patient showed emotional endurance while recovering from a long illness.

1. I wasn’t there, but _______________ it was a great party.
2. The decision of the international trade commission has serious _______________ for the Canadian farming industry.
3. Waste products are routinely _______________ as agricultural, industrial or municipal.
4. Studies suggest that _______________, more people dream in black-and-white than in colour.
5. Following the collapse of communism in Europe, the people of Serbia voted to _______________ their Socialist government.
6. Most of us with children can understand the frustration of a parent, driven beyond _____________, who hits out.
7. She broke up with her boyfriend because he didn’t seem to want to make the _______________ to having a serious relationship.
8. His _______________ is unclear; he has both Asian and African features.
9. Despite its small size, Switzerland spends huge _______________ of money on aid to developing countries.
10. He worked as a translator _______________ to becoming an ESL teacher.

Answer Keys

To conclude, the powerful meaning of ‘endurance’ makes it a strong and formal word for IELTS Speaking and Writing. So, by understanding its collocations, synonyms, antonyms, and usage in real examples, you can incorporate the word naturally and confidently in academic contexts and achieve your desired 7+ band score.

Useful Links:

• Wingspan: Word Meaning, Examples, Origin & Usage in IELTS
• Reinforce - Word of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing 
• Sanguine: Word Meaning, Examples, Origin & Usage in IELTS
• Knackered: Word Meaning, Examples, Origin & Usage in IELTS
• Useful Resources & Websites for IELTS Vocabulary