resign
ri-ZYN
/rɪˈzaɪn/
To voluntarily leave a job or position.
Implies a conscious choice to step down, often with a formal announcement.
The story behind the word. The word "resign" comes from the Latin resignare, meaning "to unseal, open, cancel, give back." It's a combination of re- (meaning "back" or "again") and signare (meaning "to seal" or "to mark"). So, when you resign, you're essentially "signing back" or "unsealing" your commitment to a position, giving it back to the employer.
Word relationships
- quit: 'Quit' is more informal and can apply to any activity, not just a job.
- step down: Often used for high-level positions, emphasizing a voluntary departure.
- hire: To give someone a job.
- appoint: To formally assign someone to a position.
Commonly confused with
- fire: 'Resign' is voluntary, 'fire' is involuntary.
Word family
- resignation (noun): The act of resigning or a formal statement of leaving a job.
Collocations
- resign from a position
- resign as CEO
- resign in protest
- resign effective immediately
Idioms & expressions
- throw in the towel
Example sentences
- "After much deliberation, she decided to resign from her demanding role as CEO to spend more time with her family." A difficult decision to leave.
- ""I have decided to resign as Prime Minister," he announced, bowing to public pressure after the scandal." Political pressure.
Memory hook
Imagine you re-sign a document, but this time it's to re-sign your commitment away from the company. Re-sign away.
When not to use
Don't use if someone is fired; use 'fired,' 'terminated,' or 'dismissed.'
Fun facts
- In some cultures, resigning is seen as a more honorable way to leave than being fired, even if the departure is prompted by poor performance.
Related words
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