resource
B2Formal, Semi-formal, Academic, Business, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A supply of something (e.g., money, materials, staff) that is available for use or can be drawn upon when needed; an available means to achieve an end.
1. (Computing) A file, device, or data source that can be accessed by a program. 2. (Economics) A stock or supply of assets (land, labour, capital, entrepreneurship) used to produce goods and services. 3. (Personal quality) A person's ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties (e.g., 'a person of resource').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has a strong collective or stock-like nuance. It implies availability and utility. As a verb (less common), it means to provide with resources.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily in spelling of derived terms (e.g., 'resourced' vs. 'resourced' is the same, but 'resourceful' is universal). The verb form is more commonly used in formal administrative contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'resource' connotes planning, management, and strategic allocation. In educational contexts (UK more than US), 'resource' often specifically means teaching/learning materials.
Frequency
The noun is high-frequency in both. The verb is low-frequency but understood.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to have/resourcesto allocate/resources/to sthto draw on/resourcesto pool/resourcesto be rich in/resourcesto devote/resources/to sthto strain/resourcesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be at the end of one's resources (to have nothing left)”
- “to leave someone to their own resources (to let someone manage alone)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to capital, personnel (HR), and assets. 'We need to allocate more resources to the marketing department.'
Academic
Often refers to source materials, data, or theoretical models. 'The study draws on archival resources.' In Economics: 'the allocation of scarce resources.'
Everyday
Often means time, money, or energy. 'I don't have the resources to take on another project right now.'
Technical
In computing: 'The program manages memory resources efficiently.' In earth sciences: 'natural resource extraction.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The project was poorly resourced from the start.
- We need to properly resource our disaster relief teams.
American English
- The school district is adequately resourced.
- The company failed to resource the new initiative.
adverb
British English
- They managed the crisis resourcefully.
- He resourcefully used a paperclip to fix it.
American English
- She acted resourcefully under pressure.
- The team worked resourcefully with limited tools.
adjective
British English
- She is incredibly resourceful.
- The resource centre is on the second floor.
American English
- He showed a resourceful solution.
- Check the resource library for manuals.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Water is an important natural resource.
- The teacher used many resources in the lesson.
- We don't have the resources for a big party.
- The country has abundant natural resources like oil and gas.
- The company's main resource is its skilled workforce.
- I'll check the online resources for more information.
- Effective resource management is key to the project's success.
- The charity pools its resources with other organisations to maximise impact.
- She is a person of great resource and ingenuity.
- The exploitation of finite resources poses a significant geopolitical challenge.
- The software dynamically allocates system resources based on demand.
- His polemic was a resource for scholars for decades.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-SOURCE. A source you can return to again and again for supply.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE A STOCK/POOL (you draw from it, it can be deep or shallow, finite or renewable).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'ресурсы' for every context where 'means', 'opportunities', or 'possibilities' is better (e.g., 'у меня нет возможности' is often 'I don't have the opportunity/chance', not 'I don't have the resources').
- The Russian 'ресурс' is often used in IT contexts, similar to English.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'resource' as a countable noun only (it is both countable and uncountable: 'a valuable resource' / 'we need more resource').
- Confusing 'resource' (n.) with 'recourse' (n. - turning to someone for help).
- Incorrect pronunciation: stressing the first syllable in British English (common error: /ˈriː.zɔːs/).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'resource' as a VERB?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. When referring to a specific type or instance (e.g., oil, a person), it's countable ('a valuable resource', 'two resources'). When referring to the general concept of available assets collectively, it can be uncountable ('a lack of resource', 'more financial resource is needed').
A 'source' is the point of origin or where something comes from (the source of a river, a news source). A 'resource' is a supply or stock that is available for use (natural resources, human resources). A resource can be drawn from a source.
In British English, the stress is on the second syllable: /rɪˈzɔːs/. In American English, the stress is typically on the first syllable, and the 'r' is pronounced: /ˈriː.sɔːrs/.
It is an adjective describing a person who is skilled at finding ways to solve problems or to achieve goals with whatever is available. It emphasises cleverness and adaptability in difficult situations.
Collections
Part of a collection
Environment
B1 · 47 words · Nature, ecology and environmental issues.
Workplace Vocabulary
B1 · 48 words · Professional language for the working environment.