rejoin
B2neutral (slightly formal for the 'reply' sense)
Definition
Meaning
To join together again; to return to a person, group, or activity after separation.
To reply or retort, especially in a sharp or witty manner (distinct from 're-join' in modern usage, though historically related).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has two main meanings: 1) To physically reunite or return. 2) To say something in reply, especially in conversation or argument. The second sense is more common in formal/literary contexts. The spelling is identical for both; context determines meaning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. The 'reply' sense is slightly more formal/literary in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, the 'return' sense is neutral. The 'reply' sense connotes a quick, often sharp or clever, response.
Frequency
The 'return' sense is more frequent in everyday language. The 'reply' sense is less common and more typical of written narrative or formal debate.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] rejoin [Object (group/person/activity)][Subject] rejoin that [clause] (reply sense)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'rejoin'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for employees returning after a break or leave. 'She will rejoin the board in January.'
Academic
Used in formal debate or discourse for making a counterpoint. 'The scholar rejoined with a compelling refutation.'
Everyday
Used for returning to a group or activity. 'I had to leave the call but will rejoin in five minutes.'
Technical
Used in computing/networking for a device or user reconnecting to a network or session.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He hopes to rejoin the squad after his injury clears up.
- "That's hardly relevant," she rejoined coolly.
American English
- She plans to rejoin the company after her maternity leave.
- The senator rejoined that the proposal was fiscally irresponsible.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I had to leave the game, but I will rejoin later.
- Please wait for me; I will rejoin the group soon.
- After a short break, the meeting will continue and you can rejoin then.
- She left the company but rejoined two years later.
- The soldier recovered from his wounds and rejoined his unit.
- The lawyer listened carefully before rejoining with a pointed question.
- The diplomat rejoined the negotiations after a period of consultation.
- "Your premise is flawed," he rejoined, thereby shifting the entire debate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE (again) + JOIN. You are JOINing something a second time.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL/PHYSICAL UNITY IS A CONNECTION (rejoining is re-establishing that connection).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with просто 'join' (присоединиться) – 'rejoin' implies prior membership. The 'reply' sense can be mistranslated as 'ответить' but is more specific, closer to 'возразить', 'парировать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'rejoin' to mean 'join for the first time'.
- Overusing the 'reply' sense in casual conversation where 'reply', 'answer', or 'retort' is more natural.
- Misspelling as 're-join' (the hyphen is archaic for the verb).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'rejoin' used in its 'reply' sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern standard English, the verb is written as one word: 'rejoin'. The hyphenated form 're-join' is sometimes seen for clarity, but 'rejoin' is the standard spelling in dictionaries.
'Reply' is general. 'Rejoin' specifically implies a reply in an ongoing conversation or debate, often one that counters or responds sharply to a previous remark. It's more formal and less common.
Yes, primarily in the 'return' sense. For example: 'The spacecraft will rejoin the mother ship.' or 'Rejoin the motorway at junction 10.'
No, the pronunciation is identical (/ˌriːˈdʒɔɪn/ in RP, /ˌriˈdʒɔɪn/ in GenAm), regardless of meaning.
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