It is easy to confuse resign and re-sign because they look almost identical. However, the hyphen changes the meaning. Re-sign means to sign something again or renew an agreement, while resign usually means to leave a job or position.
Quick Answer:
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Re-sign | Sign again or renew an agreement | The player will re-sign his contract. |
| Resign | Leave a job or position | The manager plans to resign tomorrow. |
What Does Re-sign Mean?
Re-sign means signing a document again or agreeing to continue an arrangement. It applies to employment contracts, leases, and sports contracts. A team may re-sign a player for another season, or a tenant may renew a lease.
Examples:
- The company asked me to re-sign the agreement.
- The team hopes to re-sign its star player this summer.
What Does Resign Mean?
Resign means voluntarily leaving a job, role, or official position. Someone might resign because they are changing careers, retiring, or no longer want the responsibilities of the role.
Examples:
- She decided to resign from her position at the company.
- The director will resign at the end of the month.
The word can also mean accepting a difficult situation that cannot be changed, as in “resign yourself to the outcome.” In chess, a player may resign to concede defeat. The past tense is resigned, and the -ing form is resigning.
Resign vs. Re-sign: Pronunciation
The words sound different, too:
- Re-sign is pronounced “ree-SINE,” with an “s” sound.
- Resign is pronounced “rih-ZINE,” with a “z” sound.
Listening carefully helps you distinguish both words.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using resign for signing a contract again; re-sign means “sign again.”
Also, resign is not the same as being fired. Resigning generally means choosing to leave, while being fired means an employer ends the job. In some situations, a person may be pressured to resign, so the circumstances matter.
FAQs
Is re-sign one word or two?
It is written as one hyphenated word: re-sign.
Does resign always mean quitting a job?
No. It can also mean accepting an unavoidable situation or conceding defeat in chess.
Are re-signed and resigned different?
Yes. Re-signed means signed again or renewed an agreement; resigned means left a position or accepted a difficult situation.
Why does the hyphen matter?
It separates two different meanings, so using the wrong form can confuse your reader.
Conclusion
Use re-sign when someone signs again or renews an agreement. Use resign when someone leaves a job or position, accepts an unavoidable situation, or concedes defeat in chess.
Mignon Fogarty is an experienced English grammar and writing expert specializing in grammar, word usage, and clear American English. At EduNexxt, her focus is making grammar simple, accurate, and practical.
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Bryan Garne