Word
resilient
Phoneticsre·silient
US/ɹɪˈzɪɫjənt/
UK/ɹɪsˈɪliənt/
Definitions
01people/systems recovering
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. able to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens.
adj. able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions, trauma, or systemic shocks.
“Children are often more resilient than adults when moving to a new country.”
“The local economy proved remarkably resilient, rebounding within months after the primary manufacturing plant was forced to close.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'to' when describing resistance to specific stressors.
Antonyms
02elastic materials
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. able to return to its original shape after being pulled, pushed, or bent.
adj. capable of returning to an original shape or position after being compressed or stretched; possessing elasticity.
“The running track is made of a resilient rubber material that protects the athletes' joints.”
“Engineers selected a resilient polymer for the gasket to ensure it maintained a tight seal despite constant pressure fluctuations.”
Real-World Examples
“Clay brick is especially resilient because it was already fired at 1,650 to 1,800 F (900 to 1,000 C) when it was made .” “Military pressure, however, addresses only part of what makes criminal groups resilient.” Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Italic *wre- Latin re- Proto-Indo-European *sel-der. Proto-Italic *saljō Latin saliō Latin resiliō Proto-Indo-European *-onts Latin -ns Latin -ēns Latin resiliēnsder. English resilient Borrowed from Latin resiliēns (“rebounding”, present active participle of resiliō).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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