# strive

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈstɹaɪv/ · frequency rank #10,942

## Definitions
1. To try to achieve a result; to make strenuous effort; to try earnestly and persistently.
2. To struggle in opposition; to be in contention or dispute; to contend; to contest.
3. To vie; to compete as a rival.

## Etymology
From Middle English striven (“to strive”), from Old French estriver (“to compete, quarrel”), from Frankish *strīban (“to exert, make an effort”) from Proto-Germanic *strībaną, or from Frankish *stribēn (“to strive”) from Proto-Germanic *stribāną.
As this verb is conjugated as if it were a strong verb (like drive, ride, and write), it is possible this word may instead be inherited from an unattested Old English *strīfan or *strifian, which would itself also be inherited from Proto-Germanic *strībaną.

## Easily confused with
- **stroke** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/strive-vs-stroke)
- **strode** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/strive-vs-strode)
- **strobe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/strive-vs-strobe)
- **strove** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/strive-vs-strove)
- **survive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/strive-vs-survive)
- **serve** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/serve-vs-strive)
- **Steve** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steve-vs-strive)
- **strip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/strip-vs-strive)
- **stove** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stove-vs-strive)
- **serie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/serie-vs-strive)
- **stave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stave-vs-strive)
- **stipe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stipe-vs-strive)
- **strike** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/strike-vs-strive)
- **string** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/string-vs-strive)
- **strict** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/strict-vs-strive)
- **strips** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/strips-vs-strive)
- **shrine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shrine-vs-strive)
- **starve** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/starve-vs-strive)
- **stripe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stripe-vs-strive)
- **stride** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stride-vs-strive)

## Common misspellings (9)
`srtive`, `sstrive`, `stirve`, `striev`, `strivve`, `strrive`, `strvie`, `sttrive`, `tsrive`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/strive