rejection slip: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Neutral
Quick answer
What does “rejection slip” mean?
A brief, standardized note from a publisher, editor, or employer, informing someone that their submitted work or application has been rejected.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A brief, standardized note from a publisher, editor, or employer, informing someone that their submitted work or application has been rejected.
A tangible symbol of professional or creative failure; the formal communication of a negative decision, often perceived as impersonal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used and understood in both variants. In modern usage, the concept is more common than the exact phrase.
Connotations
Identical in both. Conveys formality, impersonality, and disappointment.
Frequency
Historically more frequent, but as physical submissions declined, the exact phrase has become less common than its digital equivalents.
Grammar
How to Use “rejection slip” in a Sentence
[Person/Author] received a rejection slip from [Publisher/Institution].[Publisher] sent a rejection slip to [Author].The manuscript came back with a rejection slip.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rejection slip” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The magazine finally got round to rejecting my piece; the slip arrived today.
- They're bound to rejection-slip it, it's not their usual style.
American English
- The publisher rejected my novel; the slip was terse.
- I expect they'll rejection-slip my query by next week.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; 'rejection email' or 'job rejection' is standard.
Academic
Possible in discussing publishing, but 'rejection letter' from a journal is more common.
Everyday
Understood but not commonly used; associated with writers and artists.
Technical
Not technical; belongs to publishing/editorial terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rejection slip”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rejection slip”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rejection slip”
- Using 'rejection slip' for a modern email rejection sounds archaic. Confusing it with 'pink slip' (dismissal from job).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Conceptually, yes, but 'rejection slip' specifically refers to a small, often pre-printed physical note, while 'rejection email' is its modern digital equivalent.
It would be understood but is not standard. 'Job rejection' or 'rejection letter/email' is more appropriate for employment contexts.
Yes, a 'slip' suggests a brief, standardised, and impersonal form of communication, often without detailed criticism.
The specific phrase is less common now due to digital communication, but the concept remains very relevant in creative fields.
A brief, standardized note from a publisher, editor, or employer, informing someone that their submitted work or application has been rejected.
Rejection slip is usually formal/neutral in register.
Rejection slip: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈdʒɛkʃən slɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈdʒɛkʃən slɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to have] a drawer full of rejection slips (indicating persistent effort despite failure)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SLIP of paper that makes you feel REJECTED. It's a slip that signals a slip-up in getting accepted.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT (a slip of paper); FAILURE IS A TANGIBLE THING YOU RECEIVE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'rejection slip' most historically accurate?