resort
[ ri-zawrt ]
/ rɪˈzɔrt /
Save This Word!
verb (used without object)
to have recourse for use, help, or accomplishing something, often as a final available option or resource: to resort to war.
to go, especially frequently or customarily: a beach to which many people resort.
noun
a place to which people frequently or generally go for relaxation or pleasure, especially one providing rest and recreation facilities for vacationers: a popular winter resort.
habitual or general going, as to a place or person.
use of or appeal to some person or thing for aid, satisfaction, service, etc.; resource: to have resort to force; a court of last resort.
a person or thing resorted to for aid, satisfaction, service, etc.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of resort
1325–75; (v.) Middle English resorten<Old French resortir, equivalent to re-re- + sortir to go out, leave, escape, perhaps ultimately <Latin sortīrī to draw lots, though sense development unclear; (noun) Middle English <Old French ressort, derivative of ressortir
OTHER WORDS FROM resort
pre·re·sort, verb (used without object)WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH resort
re-sort, resortOther definitions for resort (2 of 2)
re-sort
[ ree-sawrt ]
/ riˈsɔrt /
verb (used with object)
to sort or arrange (cards, papers, etc.) again.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH re-sort
re-sort , resortDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use resort in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for resort (1 of 2)
resort
/ (rɪˈzɔːt) /
verb (intr)
(usually foll by to) to have recourse (to) for help, use, etcto resort to violence
to go, esp often or habitually; repairto resort to the beach
noun
a place to which many people go for recreation, rest, etca holiday resort
the use of something as a means, help, or recourse
the act of going to a place, esp for recreation, rest, etc
last resort the last possible course of action open to one
Derived forms of resort
resorter, nounWord Origin for resort
C14: from Old French resortir to come out again, from re- + sortir to emerge
British Dictionary definitions for resort (2 of 2)
re-sort
/ (riːˈsɔːt) /
verb
(tr) to sort again
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with resort
resort
see last resort.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.