ENGLISH
REFERENCE

resignation

n. C / U
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˌɹɛzəɡˈneɪʃən// UK //ɹɪzɪɡnˈeɪʃən// res·ig·na·tion Archaic

n. the act of officially telling your employer that you are leaving your job. It can also mean the feeling of accepting something bad because you know you cannot change it.

n. the formal act of giving up a position or office; alternatively, an attitude of quiet or passive acceptance toward an unpleasant but inevitable situation.


SIMPLE

She handed in her resignation this morning.

CONTEXTUAL

The board of directors accepted the CEO's resignation following the disappointing quarterly results.

COMPLEX

There was a heavy sense of resignation in his voice as he admitted that the legal battle had finally exhausted his remaining financial resources.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English resignacion, resignacioun, from Old French resignation, from Medieval Latin resignātiōnem, accusative of resignātio. Equivalent to resign + -ation.

Usage

Countable when referring to the formal document or act of quitting; uncountable when referring to the emotional state of acceptance.

Pitfall

He gave his resignation from the companyHe gave his resignation to the companyWhile you resign 'from' a position, you give or submit your resignation 'to' an employer or authority.

© 2026 English Reference