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Definition of resign

resign

/rɪˈzaɪn/
re · sign
Adverb:resignedly
•
Adjective:resigned
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Past Simple:resigned
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Past Participle:resigned
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Present Participle:resigning
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resign Lexical Profile

resign Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To voluntarily leave a job, office, or official position.

Example

"The cabinet minister decided to resign following the public inquiry into the department's finances."

2

To accept something undesirable or inevitable without resistance (usually used reflexively as 'resign oneself to').

Example

"After hours of traffic delays, she had to resign herself to missing the opening ceremony."

3

To give up or hand over a right, claim, or possession formally.

Example

"He agreed to resign all legal claims to the disputed estate in exchange for a fair settlement."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for resign
Antonyms
View all antonyms for resign

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'resign' (meaning to step down or accept something unpleasant, pronounced with a /z/ sound) with the hyphenated 're-sign' (meaning to sign a contract or document again, pronounced with an /s/ sound).

• Rhymes for resign

• Nearby Words

residually
residuals
residue
resign
resignation
resigned
resignedly

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French 'resigner', from Latin 'resignare' meaning 'to unseal, cancel, or give back', formed from 're-' (opposite, back) and 'signare' (to make an entry in an account book, literally 'to seal or mark').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Resign. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/resign
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