resume

/rəˈzum/
/rɪˈzum/
IPA guide

Other forms: resumed; resuming; resumes

If you resume something, you start it again after stopping. You might resume singing an aria after breaking to spit out your gum.

Resume is from Latin resumere "to take up again, take back," from the prefix re- "again" plus sumere "to take up, take." The Latin verb sumere is formed from the prefix sub- "under, up" plus emere "to take." When you pause a movie or game and then you press play again, what you're really doing is resuming play.

Definitions of resume
  1. verb
    take up or begin anew
    “We resumed the negotiations”
    synonyms: re-start, restart
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    type of:
    bear on, carry on, continue, preserve, uphold
    keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
  2. verb
    return to a previous location or condition
    “The painting resumed its old condition when we restored it”
    synonyms: take up
    see moresee less
    type of:
    change
    undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature
  3. verb
    assume anew
    “resume a title”
    “resume an office”
    “resume one's duties”
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    type of:
    adopt, assume, take on, take over
    take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities
  4. noun
    a summary of your academic and work history
    synonyms: CV, curriculum vitae
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    type of:
    sum-up, summary
    a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form
  5. noun
    short descriptive summary (of events)
    synonyms: sketch, survey
    see moresee less
    type of:
    sum-up, summary
    a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form
  6. verb
    give a summary (of)
    synonyms: sum up, summarise, summarize
    sum, sum up, summarise, summarize
    be a summary of
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 5 types...
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    abstract
    give an abstract (of)
    precis
    make a summary (of)
    docket
    make a summary or abstract of a legal document and inscribe it in a list
    recap, recapitulate
    summarize briefly
    hash over, rehash, retrograde
    go back over
    type of:
    ingeminate, iterate, reiterate, repeat, restate, retell
    to say, state, or perform again
Pronunciation
US
/rəˈzum/
UK
/rɪˈzum/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘resume'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

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