Resilience
Word of the Day
What is Resilience?
noun
The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Selected to highlight the strength and adaptability demonstrated by individuals and communities in response to significant events on this date.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
The resilience of the human spirit is remarkable in times of crisis.
Her resilience after the accident inspired everyone around her.
Communities affected by the floods showed incredible resilience in rebuilding.
Word Origins
From Latin resilire, meaning “to leap back” or “rebound”.
Originally used in physics to describe the elasticity of materials; now widely applied to emotional and psychological strength.
First appearance in English: 17th century
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
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Noun:
The resilience of the economy was tested during the recession.
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Adjective:
She is a resilient individual who overcomes challenges.
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Adverb:
They adapted resiliently to the changing circumstances.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: resiliencia
- French: résilience
- German: Resilienz
- Italian: resilienza
- Portuguese: resiliência
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Tenacity
Focuses on persistence and determination; resilience emphasizes recovery.
Fortitude
Refers to courage in adversity; resilience includes adaptability.
Endurance
Highlights the ability to withstand hardship over time; resilience includes bouncing back.
Adaptability
Emphasizes the ability to adjust; resilience includes recovery from setbacks.
Fun Facts
- Studies show that resilience can be learned and strengthened through practice and support.
- The concept of resilience is also applied in ecology to describe ecosystems’ ability to recover from disturbances.
Cultural Usage
- Resilience is a key concept in positive psychology, focusing on individuals’ ability to cope with stress and adversity.
- In “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand, the protagonist’s resilience is central to the narrative.
Common Mistakes
Often confused with “resistance”; however, “resilience” emphasizes recovery after impact, not just opposition.
Micro Story
Despite the devastation, the community’s resilience shone through as they began rebuilding their lives.