French word

résolution

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁezolysjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine noundecision

Example

J'ai pris la résolution d'arrêter de fumer.

I made the decision to quit smoking.

Illustration for résolution (decision)

More examples

Elle tient toujours ses résolutions.

She always keeps her resolutions.

Core concept

A firmly settled inner choice that leads to a deliberate course of action.

Common phrases

  • prendre la résolution de

    resolve to ___

  • tenir sa résolution

    keep one's resolution

  • bonne résolution

    New Year's resolution

Similar words

décision: A clear choice about whether to do something.
intention: A thought or plan to do something in the future.
volonté: A strong will to achieve a particular goal.
détermination: A firm commitment to pursue a goal without giving up.

Definition in French

Volonté décidée, intérieure et durable d'accomplir ou d'abandonner une action, souvent introduite par «prendre la résolution de…».

Word origin

Résolution comes from Latin resolutio, from resolvere, meaning 'to loosen or undo'; in Old French, the idea of settling a matter also developed into a personal decision.

Usage tips

  • The usual formal pattern is prendre la résolution de + infinitive, as in prendre la résolution d'arrêter de fumer.

Other meanings

  • resolutionnoun

Opposites

  • indécisionindecisionnoun
  • hésitationhesitationnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word