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REFERENCE

reject

v. · n.
US //ˈɹidʒɛkt// re·ject
  1. 1 to refuse to accept (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to refuse to accept, use, or believe something.

    to refuse to accept, acknowledge, or use something; often used in formal or academic contexts regarding theories or applications.

    Example

    The committee decided to reject the proposal because it was too expensive.

    Example

    The journal editors chose to reject the manuscript on the grounds that the methodology did not meet their rigorous peer-review standards.

    Usage

    Transitive verb taking a direct object.
  2. 2 to refuse a person (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to refuse a person's romantic interest or a job applicant.

    to rebuff a person's advances or to deny an applicant a position or place.

    Example

    It can be very painful when someone you like rejects you.

    Example

    After three rounds of intensive interviews, the firm ultimately decided to reject his application in favour of a more experienced candidate.
    • rebuff
    • spurn
    • turn down
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  1. 3 to block a shot (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Sport

    to block an opponent's shot in a game like basketball.

    to block an opponent's shot, typically sending the ball away from the basket or off the court.

    Example

    The tall defender managed to reject the shot just before it reached the hoop.

    Example

    The centre leaped high to reject the layup, sending the ball deep into the third row of the stands.
  2. 4 defective item (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a product that is not good enough to be sold.

    an item that has been discarded or set aside because it does not meet quality standards.

    Example

    The factory sells its rejects at a much lower price in the outlet store.

    Example

    Quality control identified several rejects in the latest batch due to minor surface imperfections in the plastic casing.
  3. 5 unpopular person (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang

    a person who is not accepted by a social group.

    a person who is excluded from a social group or society; often used as a derogatory label.

    Example

    In many teen movies, the main characters start out as social rejects.

    Example

    He spent his high school years feeling like a total reject before finding a community of like-minded artists in college.

    Teacher's tip

    This can be offensive or hurtful; learners should use it with caution when referring to people.
  4. 6 aborted takeoff (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Aviation

    the act of stopping a plane from taking off after it has already started moving.

    the discontinuation of a takeoff roll by the flight crew due to a perceived safety issue.

    Example

    The pilot performed a high-speed reject after a warning light appeared on the dashboard.

    Example

    The captain initiated a reject at eighty knots following a sudden loss of pressure in the number two engine.

    Usage

    Often used in the phrase 'rejected takeoff' or as a noun in technical reports.
    • aborted takeoff
Origin

From Late Middle English rejecten, from Latin reiectus, past participle of reicere (“to throw back”), from re- (“back”) + iacere (“to throw”). Displaced native Old English āweorpan (literally “to throw out”).

Word family

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