redemption
C1Formal; common in religious, financial, and literary contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil; the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment.
Can also refer to the fulfillment of a promise, the exchange of coupons or vouchers for goods or money, or a positive outcome that compensates for past difficulties.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often carries strong theological or moral weight. In finance, it is a neutral technical term. The core idea is 'buying back' or 'setting free'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or spelling. The term 'redemption arc' is slightly more frequent in US pop-culture discourse.
Connotations
In the US, the term has a stronger cultural association with evangelical Christianity and personal transformation narratives.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to greater prevalence of religious discourse in public life.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[possessive] redemption (e.g., his redemption)redemption of [something]redemption from [something]redemption for [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “beyond redemption”
- “a redemption arc”
- “find redemption in the eyes of someone”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the repayment of a bond, note, or preference shares at maturity, or the exchange of a coupon/voucher for goods or a discount.
Academic
A key concept in theology, philosophy, and literary studies concerning salvation, moral recovery, or narrative resolution.
Everyday
Used when talking about making up for a past mistake or cashing in loyalty points or coupons.
Technical
In finance: the action of an issuer repurchasing a security before maturity. In theology: salvation from sin through divine intervention.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He saved his vouchers for the redemption of a free toy.
- The story is about a hero's redemption.
- Many people seek redemption after making a big mistake.
- You can get a discount upon redemption of this coupon.
- The character's redemption arc was the most compelling part of the film.
- The bond's early redemption resulted in a financial penalty.
- The theological doctrine of redemption is central to many Christian traditions.
- The fund allows for the monthly redemption of shares by investors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of RE-DEMPTION: RE (again) + DEMPT (like 'empt' from 'exempt' or 'redeem') + ION (action). It's the action of buying something back or making it free again.
Conceptual Metaphor
REDEMPTION IS A JOURNEY BACK TO A GOOD STATE; REDEMPTION IS A CLEANSING OR PURIFYING FORCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'искупление' for non-religious financial contexts; use 'погашение' for bonds or 'обмен' for coupons.
- Do not confuse with 'спасение' (salvation/rescue), which is broader and less focused on the 'exchange' or 'compensation' aspect.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'redemtion' (missing 'p').
- Using it as a verb (the verb is 'redeem').
- Confusing 'redemption' with 'revenge'—they are opposites in moral narrative.
Practice
Quiz
In a financial context, 'redemption' most specifically refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while it has strong religious origins, it is commonly used in finance, everyday language (e.g., redeeming coupons), and in narratives about personal improvement.
'Salvation' is broader, meaning being saved from harm or ruin. 'Redemption' implies a specific action of 'buying back' or 'exchanging' to achieve that salvation, often involving a cost or effort.
No, the noun 'redemption' comes from the verb 'redeem'. You 'redeem' a coupon, and the act is 'redemption'.
It describes a person or situation considered too bad to be saved or improved.