resume

1
[ ri-zoom ]
See synonyms for resume on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),re·sumed, re·sum·ing.
  1. to take up or go on with again after interruption; continue: to resume a journey.

  2. to take or occupy again: to resume one's seat.

  1. to take or assume use or practice of again: to resume her maiden name.

  2. to take back: to resume the title to a property.

verb (used without object),re·sumed, re·sum·ing.
  1. to go on or continue after interruption: The dancing is about to resume.

  2. to begin again.

Origin of resume

1
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English resumen, from Middle French resumer or directly from Latin resūmere “to take back, take again,” equivalent to re- “again, back” + sūmere “to take”; see re-, consume

Other words from resume

  • re·sum·a·ble, adjective
  • re·sum·er, noun
  • un·re·sumed, adjective

Other definitions for resume (2 of 2)

resume2

or ré·su·mé

[ rez-oo-mey, rez-oo-mey ]

noun
  1. a brief written account of personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experience, as that prepared by an applicant for a job.

  2. a summing up; summary.

Origin of resume

2
First recorded in 1795–1805; from French résumé, noun use of past participle of résumer “to sum up”
  • Sometimes re·su·mé .

usage note For resume

Some French words borrowed into English preserve foreign features, like accent marks: café , déjà vu , résumé , séance , etc.
In French, accent marks serve two purposes. They can mark a different vowel quality (the vowels e , è and é are pronounced very differently), or they may distinguish two words that would otherwise be homographs ( ou without an accent means “or,” while with an accent means “where”).
When you use these words in English, it is correct to write them with the French accents or without; the spellings divorcée and divorcee are both accepted. Some people prefer including the accent for accuracy or to evoke a subtle European flavor. The inclusion or omission of an accent mark when naming an establishment cafe or café suggests a certain expectation for the style and tone of the place. Other people find any use of a foreign accent mark to be unnecessary and pretentious. Be aware of your audience when making this decision.
As in the original French, accents are useful for differentiating between two homographs. English speakers are more likely to keep the accents in a word like résumé or exposé in order to avoid confusion with the verbs resume or expose . Words without confusable English counterparts, like deja vu or cafe , are less likely to maintain their accents in written English.
Generally, the use of foreign accents for words borrowed into English is optional. However, if you do choose to use accented letters, be sure to use the correct accent and be consistent within the word. For example, déjà vu has an acute (rising) accent mark in the first syllable and a grave (falling) accent in the second. The word résumé has two acute accent marks. Avoid haphazard or false accent marking, as sometimes seen in the spellings dejá vu or resumé . The best rule to follow for foreign accent marks is all or nothing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use resume in a sentence

  • There were brief résumés of dialogues between Lickford (the writer) and weird rustics.

    Love Among the Chickens | P. G. Wodehouse
  • Finally clarity in the narrative is secured by repeated résumés of the story either by the characters or by the author himself.

    Essays on the Greek Romances | Elizabeth Hazelton Haight
  • Résumés of adventures are helpfully presented by important characters at different stages in the narrative.

    Essays on the Greek Romances | Elizabeth Hazelton Haight
  • In general, Heliodorus uses résumés with great effect to clarify his complicated plot.

    Essays on the Greek Romances | Elizabeth Hazelton Haight
  • Two more technical devices of the plot must be mentioned here: the use of résumés and the usual happy ending.

    Essays on the Greek Romances | Elizabeth Hazelton Haight

British Dictionary definitions for resume (1 of 2)

resume

/ (rɪˈzjuːm) /


verb
  1. to begin again or go on with (something adjourned or interrupted)

  2. (tr) to occupy again, take back, or recover: to resume one's seat; to resume possession

  1. (tr) to assume (a title, office, etc) again: to resume the presidency

  2. archaic to summarize; make a résumé of

Origin of resume

1
C15: from Latin resūmere to take up again, from re- + sūmere to take up

Derived forms of resume

  • resumable, adjective
  • resumer, noun

British Dictionary definitions for résumé (2 of 2)

résumé

/ (ˈrɛzjʊˌmeɪ) /


noun
  1. a short descriptive summary, as of events

  2. US and Canadian another name for curriculum vitae

Origin of résumé

2
C19: from French, from résumer to resume

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012