ENGLISH
REFERENCE

res

n. · v.
US //ˈɹeɪz// res
  1. 1 screen resolution (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Technical Computing

    a short way to say 'resolution', meaning how clear an image or screen is.

    a clipping of 'resolution', referring to the number of pixels or level of detail in a digital image or display.

    Example

    The game looks much better if you play it in high res.

    Example

    The designer insisted on exporting the assets in high res to ensure the print quality met the client's exacting standards.
  2. 2 student housing (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal British English

    a short word for a university building where students live.

    a clipping of 'residence', specifically referring to university-provided student accommodation.

    Example

    Most first-year students choose to live in res to meet new people.

    Example

    Living in res during the first year of university often facilitates a smoother social transition, though it can be significantly noisier than private housing.
  3. 3 Indigenous territory (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal American English

    a short word for a reservation, which is land set aside for Indigenous people.

    a clipping of 'reservation' or 'reserve', denoting land managed by or for Indigenous communities.

    Example

    He grew up on the res and still visits his family there every summer.

    Example

    The documentary explores the economic challenges faced by youth living on the res while highlighting successful community-led initiatives.
  4. 4 to bring back to life (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Slang Computing

    to bring a dead character back to life in a video game.

    a clipping of 'resurrect', used as a transitive verb within gaming communities to describe reviving a defeated player or unit.

    Example

    Can you res me? I died right next to the boss.

    Example

    The healer managed to res the entire party just seconds before the final phase of the encounter began.

    Usage

    Often used as a transitive verb taking a direct object representing the player or character.
Etymology 1

From re + -s.

Etymology 2

Clippings.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026