resort
B2neutral
Definition
Meaning
to turn to something as a course of action when in difficulty.
1. a place visited for holidays or recreation. 2. the action of resorting to something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun has two distinct main senses: a location (holiday resort) and an action (last resort). The verb sense is often used with 'to' and implies a fallback option or desperate measure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The spelling and pronunciation are standard.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British English to refer to a holiday destination (e.g., 'seaside resort'). In both varieties, 'last resort' is a fixed phrase.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
resort to [noun/gerund]as a last resorthave resort to [formal]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “as a last resort”
- “without resort to”
- “a resort to arms”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"We had to resort to outsourcing to cut costs."
Academic
"The study did not resort to speculative assumptions."
Everyday
"Let's book a week at that resort in Cornwall."
Technical
"The system's failsafe is a resort to manual override."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He would never resort to violence.
- We may have to resort to legal action.
- She resorted to bribery to get the permit.
American English
- They shouldn't resort to name-calling.
- The city resorted to rationing water.
- I hope we don't have to resort to that plan.
adverb
British English
- The hotel is resort-located.
- They live resort-close.
- He dressed resort-casual.
American English
- The property is resort-adjacent.
- She works resort-seasonally.
- The event was held resort-style.
adjective
British English
- The resort town was bustling in summer.
- Resort management requires specific skills.
- Resort wear should be comfortable.
American English
- The resort area was hit by the storm.
- Resort fees are often added to the bill.
- She bought a new resort-style swimsuit.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We went to a beach resort.
- He didn't want to resort to lying.
- The ski resort was very expensive.
- If talking doesn't work, we might resort to a strike.
- The island is developing into a luxury resort.
- Negotiation failed, so they resorted to arbitration.
- The faded grandeur of the seaside resort was poignant.
- The regime resorted to increasingly draconian measures to maintain control.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think RE-SORT: you RE-SORT your options and choose the last one, or you go to a place to RE-SORT your energy.
Conceptual Metaphor
A RESORT IS A FINAL CONTAINER (e.g., 'We've reached the last resort.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'курорт' only; remember the verb meaning 'прибегать к чему-либо'.
- Avoid direct translation of 'resort to' as 'курорт в' – it's wrong.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'resort on' instead of 'resort to'.
- Using 'resort' as only a place, forgetting the verb.
- Misspelling as 'resourt'.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase means 'the final option when all others have failed'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is commonly both a noun (a holiday place) and a verb (to turn to something).
The verb is always followed by 'to' (e.g., resort to violence).
A resort is typically a large holiday complex with many facilities (pools, sports, entertainment), while a hotel is primarily accommodation.
As a noun (holiday place), yes. As a verb, it often has a negative connotation, implying a desperate or undesirable action.
Collections
Part of a collection
Travel Vocabulary
A2 · 50 words · Words for getting around, booking trips and visiting new places.