French word

résignation

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁeziɲasjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounresignation

Example

Elle a accepté son sort avec résignation.

She accepted her fate with resignation.

Illustration for résignation (resignation)

More examples

Elle a hoché la tête avec résignation.

She nodded her head with resignation.

Core concept

A person quietly yields to an unpleasant reality, while the same idea extends formally to stepping away from a position.

Common phrases

  • un geste de résignation

    a gesture of resignation

  • regarder avec résignation

    look on with resignation

Similar words

démission: The act or intention of leaving a job or office.
acceptation: Acceptance of a proposal or fact.
abandon: Giving up an effort and letting it go.

Definition in French

Disposition d'accepter calmement et sans lutte une situation désagréable ou inévitable ;, dans un registre formel, action de quitter un poste.

Word origin

The noun résignation derives through French from Latin resignatio, based on resignare, which could mean to relinquish, giving rise to both emotional and official senses.

Usage tips

  • For the verb form, French uses se résigner à followed by a noun or infinitive, as in se résigner à attendre.

Opposites

Related words

  • résignéresignedadjective

Word lists with this word