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 sentencing hearing is set to resume on Thursday.

From BBC

The inquest has been adjourned and is set to resume on 21 May 2025.

From BBC

The tournament will resume next year with the knockout stages, plus relegation and promotion play-offs.

From BBC

Earlier this month, Qatar announced that it had paused its efforts to broker a Gaza ceasefire and said they would only resume “when the parties show willingness and seriousness to end the brutal war”.

From BBC

Homan promised to resume workplace immigration raids and prioritize immigrants who pose threats to public safety and national security for deportation.

From Los Angeles Times

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.