ENGLISH
REFERENCE

resilient

adj.
US //ɹɪˈzɪɫjənt// UK //ɹɪsˈɪliənt// re·silient
  1. 1 people/systems recovering (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    able to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens.

    able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions, trauma, or systemic shocks.

    Example

    Children are often more resilient than adults when moving to a new country.

    Example

    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.

  2. 2 elastic materials (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    able to return to its original shape after being pulled, pushed, or bent.

    capable of returning to an original shape or position after being compressed or stretched; possessing elasticity.

    Example

    The running track is made of a resilient rubber material that protects the athletes' joints.

    Example

    Engineers selected a resilient polymer for the gasket to ensure it maintained a tight seal despite constant pressure fluctuations.

Origin

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).

Word family

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