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Resilience

ri-ZIL-yuns /rɪˈzɪliəns/

nounC1GRETOEFLIELTS

formalacademicscientific

The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness; in ecology, the ability of an ecosystem to absorb disturbance and still retain its basic structure and function.

Implies not just bouncing back, but also the ability to adapt and continue functioning despite stress.

The story behind the word. The word 'Resilience' comes from the Latin verb 'resilire,' which means 'to leap back' or 'to rebound.' This verb is formed from 're-' (back) and 'salire' (to leap). It entered English in the 17th century, initially referring to the physical property of a material to spring back into shape. Over time, its meaning expanded to include the ability of individuals, communities, and even ecosystems to recover from shocks and stresses.

Word relationships

Durability: Durability refers to the ability to withstand wear and tear. Resilience is about recovering from damage or stress.
Hardiness: Hardiness implies robustness and ability to endure difficult conditions, similar to durability, but less about active recovery.
Flexibility: Flexibility is the ability to bend without breaking. Resilience includes flexibility but also the capacity to return to form or function.

Fragility: The quality of being easily broken or damaged.
Vulnerability: The state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

Word family

Resilient (adjective): Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.

Collocations

ecological resilience
community resilience
urban resilience
build resilience
foster resilience

Example sentences

"Building urban resilience to extreme weather events is a growing priority for city planners." Discussing community planning.
"The forest ecosystem demonstrated remarkable resilience after the wildfire, with new growth appearing quickly." Reporting on ecological studies.

Memory hook

Think 'RE-SIL-ience' as 'RE-SALES' (re-sell) – you bounce back from a loss and re-sell. Bounce Back

When not to use

Avoid using it for situations where something is simply strong or durable without implying a capacity for recovery from stress.

Fun facts

In materials science, resilience is a measure of the energy that can be absorbed by a material without causing permanent deformation.