resume

¹

[ ri-zoom ]

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.

3. to take or assume use or practice of again:

   to resume her maiden name.

4. 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.

resume

²

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.

resume

¹

/ 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

3. tr to assume (a title, office, etc) again

   to resume the presidency

4. archaic.
   to summarize; make a résumé of

résumé

²

/ ˈrɛzjʊˌmeɪ /

noun

1. a short descriptive summary, as of events
2. another name for curriculum vitae

Spelling Note

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 où 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.

Derived Forms

• reˈsumer, noun
• reˈsumable, adjective

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of resume¹

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”; re-, consume

Origin of resume²

First recorded in 1795–1805; from French résumé, noun use of past participle of résumer “to sum up”

Word History and Origins

Origin of resume¹

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

Origin of resume²

C19: from French, from résumer to resume

Example Sentences

The NBA and its players' union agreed on Friday to resume the league's playoffs on Saturday after players refused to take the floor for a number of games this week in protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis.

From Axios

Overall trading on both platforms resumed as normal once the issue was resolved.

From Fortune

As the federal government and local housing authorities loosen moratoriums on evictions, concerns are growing that the Annapolis agency’s ramped up court actions will resume.

From ProPublica

This is a groundbreaking step that is expected to provide a longer-lasting protection in public spaces, increasing consumer confidence in resuming normal air travel and other activities.

From Fortune

Wells Fargo is resuming layoffs, as the beleaguered bank looks to cut costs to cope with the coronavirus pandemic and long-running regulatory issues that have hampered its growth.

From Fortune

If he did, it could be a sign that our politicians are ready to resume genuine policy-making across party lines.

From The Daily Beast

As for the search, which will soon resume, Soelisto confessed that “the capability of our equipment is not optimum.”

From The Daily Beast

They added that the shutdown was temporary and they plan to resume the trial in January.

From The Daily Beast

Sharpton, well known for a series of controversial incidents earlier in his career, also played defense about his own resume.

From The Daily Beast

Then, thanks to home care support, she was able to resume an independent life.

From The Daily Beast

Fortunately, Massna had time to make his way through the Austrian skirmishers and resume his command.

From Project Gutenberg

One morning Tom was awakened by his faithful attendant to resume his weary journey.

From Project Gutenberg

I shall then give an account of my various excursions in an Appendix, and afterwards resume the thread of my journal.

From Project Gutenberg

He did not resume his book immediately, but sat for a while meditatively looking out into the garden.

From Project Gutenberg

When you happen to think of it; will you try never to allow yourself to resume that expression—that expression again?

From Project Gutenberg

How Do You Spell Resume?

Spelling tips for resume

There are two words that use the spelling resume, and they’re pronounced very differently, which can make things confusing. As a verb meaning “to continue,” resume is pronounced [ ri-zoom ], which can sound like it should be spelled rezoom. As a noun referring to a list of a person’s professional qualifications, resume is pronounced [ rez–oo-mey ]. To reflect this pronunciation, the noun is sometimes spelled in the French manner, with accent marks (résumé or resumé), but they are not required and it is better to avoid using them. 

How to spell resume: First, remember that you don’t need any accent marks to spell the noun resume. You can remember how to spell the middle part by remembering that a resume should include the sum of your professional accomplishments. Then just remember that the verb that means “to continue” is spelled the exact same way.