How to Spell “Resume” - Résumé, Resumé, or No Accent?

How to Spell “Resume” - Résumé, Resumé, or No Accent?

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How to Spell “Resume” - Dictionary Definition

Going back to the roots of the word, résumé comes from French. It’s written with an accent on both e-s and it means summary. The typical résumé is defined as a document containing a summary of one’s relevant job experience and education. The French themselves, however, (along with other European countries), rarely 

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How to Spell “Resume” - Dictionary Definition

use the term for this purpose. Instead, they refer to it as a CV (curriculum vitae). While they refer to the same document in most European countries, the terms have some differences when used in the US. So, to cut it short: The word itself comes from French and has two accents, but it is rarely used in France itself. What’s the correct way to use it in other countries then?

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How to Spell “Resume” - Dictionary Definition

Let’s see what the most popular dictionaries have to say about it. – Oxford Advanced American Dictionary - The noun is suggested with two accents (résumé), but the other two spellings (resumé and resume) are given as equivalent options. All three spellings seem legit. – Merriam Webster’s Dictionary - The first suggested noun is résumé, but the other two are

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How to Spell “Resume” - Dictionary Definition

listed as alternatives as well. The spelling resumé, however, is noted to be less commonly used. – Cambridge Dictionary - Résumé is suggested, but the spelling resume is also suggested as an equivalent noun. The third spelling, resumé, is not mentioned at all. – Wiktionary - All three spellings are listed as interchangeable, but their 

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How to Spell “Resume” - Dictionary Definition

usage in the US is explained. Resume is correct since English doesn’t usually borrow accents from foreign words. In Resumé, the accent indicates that the “e” is not silent, while résumé simply retains the accents taken from French.

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Résumé, Resumé, or Resume? Which One Is It?

Résumé If you use both accents, you’re being 100% grammatically correct. That is, after all, the way the original borrowed word is spelled. Spelling it this way also makes sure the noun is not confused with the verb to resume. The downside? Well, outside academics and professional settings, the word is almost 

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Résumé, Resumé, or Resume? Which One Is It?

never spelled with both accents. Doing so might often give off the pretentious vibe.

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Résumé, Resumé, or Resume? Which One Is It?

Resume Moving on to the polar opposite - no accents at all - we have to note that this is the most used version in informal contexts. It follows the rules of English of removing accents when adopting foreign words and it’s simply easier to type. Its con is that there’s a chance it can get mistaken with the verb to resume. Despite that, 

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Résumé, Resumé, or Resume? Which One Is It?

however, it appears that resume is the winning spelling form. It follows the rules of the English language and doesn’t put anyone in a pretentious light.

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