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resort

n. · v.
US //ɹiˈsɔɹt// re·sort
  1. 1 holiday destination (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a place where many people go for a holiday to relax and have fun.

    a place frequented for holidays or recreation, typically featuring integrated lodging, dining, and entertainment facilities.

    Example

    We stayed at a beautiful ski resort in the mountains last winter.

    Example

    The coastal resort has seen a significant increase in international visitors since the completion of the new regional airport.

  2. 2 a final option (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the person or thing you turn to when you have no other choices left.

    the use of something as a final available option or source of help in a difficult situation.

    Example

    Surgery is usually a last resort after other treatments have failed.

    Example

    The central bank viewed the emergency loan as a last resort to prevent a total collapse of the national currency.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrase 'as a last resort'.

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  1. 3 to use as a last option (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to do something because you are in a difficult situation and have no other choice.

    to adopt a course of action, often an undesirable one, because no other options remain viable.

    Example

    The students had to resort to using old textbooks when the internet went down.

    Example

    The protesters eventually resorted to civil disobedience after their formal petitions were repeatedly ignored by the local council.

    Usage

    Intransitive verb that almost always takes the preposition 'to'.

Etymology 1

From Middle English resorten, from Old French resortir (“to fall back, return, resort, have recourse, appeal”), back-formation from sortir (“to go out”).

Etymology 2

From re- + sort.

Etymology 3

From French ressort.

Idioms1 entry

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