resurrection
C1Formal, Religious, Literary
Definition
Meaning
The act of rising from the dead, returning to life after death.
A revival or restoration to use, importance, or vitality; the act of bringing something back into existence or attention.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in religious contexts (especially Christian theology) to refer to Jesus Christ's rising from the dead. Figuratively, it describes any dramatic revival or comeback.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of associated words may differ (e.g., 'resurrect' is the same).
Connotations
Identical strong religious and figurative connotations in both variants.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English in overtly religious discourse, but the difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
resurrection of [NOUN]resurrection from [NOUN][NOUN] resurrectionVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Resurrection Sunday (Easter)”
- “a resurrection of fortunes”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a dramatic recovery of a company or product (e.g., 'The new CEO engineered the brand's resurrection.').
Academic
Used in theology, history, and literature studies to discuss concepts of life after death or cultural revivals.
Everyday
Used figuratively for comebacks (e.g., 'The actor's resurrection after a decade out of the spotlight.').
Technical
In medicine/science, used rarely and figuratively (e.g., 'cryonics and the hope of future resurrection').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They hoped to resurrect the old traditions.
American English
- The team managed to resurrect their championship hopes.
adverb
British English
- This was done resurrectionally, bringing the practice back to life. (Rare, literary)
American English
- The movement returned resurrectionally after years of decline. (Rare, literary)
adjective
British English
- Easter is a resurrection story.
- The resurrection accounts are central to the faith.
American English
- She experienced a resurrection moment in her career.
- The resurrection narrative is powerful.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus.
- The old festival had a resurrection and is now popular again.
- The resurrection of his political career seemed unlikely after the scandal.
- Scholars debate the theological implications of a bodily resurrection versus a spiritual one.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
RE (again) + SURREction (like 'surge' - to rise). Think: 'to rise again'.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEATH IS SLEEP / REVIVAL IS AWAKENING FROM SLEEP. (e.g., 'awakened to new life').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'воскресение' (Sunday) or 'воскрешение' (resuscitation). The core concept is 'восстание из мёртвых'.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronunciation: /riːˈsʌr.ek.ʃən/ (incorrect). Misuse: Using for minor recoveries (overly dramatic).
Practice
Quiz
Which context is LEAST appropriate for 'resurrection'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary and most powerful meaning is religious (rising from the dead), it is commonly used figuratively to describe any major revival or comeback (e.g., of a career, trend, or idea).
'Resurrection' implies a return from death or complete obscurity/inactivity, often with a dramatic or miraculous nuance. 'Resurgence' suggests a renewed increase in activity or popularity, not necessarily from a state of 'death'.
The direct verb is 'resurrect'. 'Resurrection' is almost exclusively a noun. You 'resurrect' an idea; you witness the 'resurrection' of an idea.
The standard pronunciation is /ˌrɛz.əˈrɛk.ʃən/. The primary stress is on the third syllable ('rek'), with a secondary stress on the first syllable ('rez'). Avoid pronouncing it like 'ree-sur-rection'.
Explore