# resting

/ˈɹɛstɪŋ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/resting
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. relaxing or sleeping

verb · CEFR A2

taking a break to get your energy back or sleeping.

For teachers: the act of ceasing work or movement in order to relax, sleep, or recover strength.

- The doctor said he should be resting at home after his surgery.
- After completing the marathon, she spent the remainder of the weekend resting her muscles and hydrating properly.

### 2. not moving or active

adjective · CEFR B1

staying still and not doing anything at the moment.

For teachers: being in a state of inactivity, sleep, or tranquility; often used to describe a baseline physical state.

- Your resting heart rate is usually lower when you are calm.
- The technician measured the patient's resting metabolic rate to determine how many calories they burned while completely still.

### 3. unemployed (actors)

adjective · CEFR C1 · Humorous · British English · Informal

a polite or funny way to say an actor does not have a job right now.

For teachers: a euphemistic and often humorous term used specifically within the performing arts to describe an actor who is currently unemployed.

- He is a resting actor who currently works in a café while waiting for his next big role.
- The pub was full of resting actors discussing their recent failed auditions and the scarcity of television work this season.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun 'actor' or used as a subject complement.

Teaching tip: This is a classic British 'theatrical' euphemism; using it for other professions like 'a resting plumber' would be seen as a joke.

### 4. a place of peace

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary · Formal

a place where someone is buried or where they find final peace.

For teachers: a state or place of final repose, typically used in the phrase 'resting place' to refer to a grave.

- The old churchyard was a quiet resting place for the village ancestors.
- The explorers finally discovered the ancient king's final resting place deep within the hidden valley.

## Examples

- I am resting on the sofa after a long day.
- The doctor told her she needs to spend the weekend resting to recover from the flu.
- After three days of intense hiking through the valley, the group spent the afternoon resting by the stream, allowing their muscles to recover before the final ascent.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.