resignation
B2Formal to neutral.
Definition
Meaning
The act of formally leaving a job or position; a document stating this.
The passive acceptance of a difficult or unpleasant situation, often without complaint.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has two primary, distinct meanings: 1) voluntary job termination, 2) an attitude of reluctant acceptance (often 'with resignation'). The second meaning carries a negative, passive connotation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in definition or use. Pronunciation and spelling are standard. The verb 'to resign' is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US English in all contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
submit resignation as + [position]accept resignation with + [emotion]met with resignationVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hand in one's notice”
- “throw in the towel”
- “with a heavy heart”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The official termination of employment, often requiring a formal letter.
Academic
Used in discussions of political science, labour relations, or psychology (e.g., learned helplessness).
Everyday
Talking about quitting a job, or accepting a bad outcome.
Technical
Specific use in chess ('resign a game') or IT (resignation of a certificate authority).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He resigned after the scandal.
- She has resigned her position.
American English
- He resigned over the policy.
- She resigned from the committee.
adverb
British English
- He sighed resignedly.
- She accepted the news resignedly.
American English
- He nodded resignedly.
- They shrugged resignedly.
adjective
British English
- His resignation letter was brief.
- She had a resigned expression.
American English
- The resignation announcement came today.
- He was resigned to his fate.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She wrote her resignation letter.
- His resignation was a surprise.
- The manager accepted his resignation yesterday.
- I heard about her resignation from the company.
- The minister's resignation triggered a political crisis.
- He faced his illness with quiet resignation.
- Her resignation, tendered under duress, did not preclude legal action.
- A pervasive sense of resignation hung over the negotiations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 're-sign' + '-ation'. You are 're-signing' your position back to your employer, ending your contract.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURRENDER IS GIVING SOMETHING UP (resigning a post). ACCEPTANCE IS A CONTAINER (filled with resignation).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do NOT confuse with 'резинация' (resin) or 'резигнация' (non-existent). The Russian noun 'отставка' is close for job contexts. The attitude sense is close to 'смирение', 'покорность'.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as /ri:'saɪn'geɪʃən/ (like 'resign' as 're-sign'), incorrect preposition: 'resignation from' a job (correct: 'resignation as CEO' or 'resignation from the board').
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'he faced the situation with resignation', what does 'resignation' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Resignation is leaving a job for any reason, often mid-career. Retirement is specifically leaving work permanently, typically at an older age.
As a job action, it can be neutral or positive (e.g., resigning for a better opportunity). As an attitude, it is generally negative, implying passive acceptance of a bad situation.
The verb is 'to resign' (pronounced /rɪˈzaɪn/). It is a regular verb: resign, resigned, resigned.
In most professional contexts, yes, it is a formal requirement to document the end of employment and often triggers HR processes.
Collections
Part of a collection
Workplace Vocabulary
B1 · 48 words · Professional language for the working environment.
Nuanced Emotions
C2 · 48 words · Precise vocabulary for complex emotional states.
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