resignation
rez-ig-NAY-shun
/ˌrɛzɪɡˈneɪʃən/
An act of retiring or giving up a position; the document stating that one is leaving a job; the acceptance of something undesirable but inevitable.
Can refer to the physical letter or the emotional state of giving up.
The story behind the word. Originally, 'resignare' meant to 'unseal' a document or 'cancel' a signature. When you resign, you are essentially 'signing back' or undoing the contract you previously signed.
Word relationships
- departure: Departure is a neutral term for leaving; resignation is the formal act of quitting.
- quitting: Quitting is informal; resignation is the professional term.
- appointment: Appointment is being given a job; resignation is giving it up.
Commonly confused with
- retirement: Retirement is leaving the workforce permanently, usually due to age; resignation is just leaving a specific job.
Word family
- resign (verb): To voluntarily leave a job.
- resigned (adjective): Accepting something unpleasant.
- resigns (verb): Third-person singular of resign.
Collocations
- tender one's resignation
- letter of resignation
- accept with resignation
Example sentences
- "I shall send in my resignation tomorrow." Quitting a job.
- "He accepted the bad news with a sigh of resignation." Emotional state.
Memory hook
Resignation is when you 'Sign' your name for the last time to 'Re' (leave) the job. Resignation = Re-Signing to leave.
When not to use
Don't use it if someone was fired; it only applies if they chose to leave.
Fun facts
- The word 'resignation' can also mean a 'passive' or 'patient' acceptance of fate, like a soldier accepting defeat.
Related words
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