Definition
Resilient things bounce back. The word comes from the Latin resilire, 'to leap back', and keeps both its physical sense — a resilient material returns to shape after being bent — and its human one: resilient people, communities, and economies absorb shocks and recover. Resilience does not mean being unaffected; it means the damage doesn't stick. The bent branch straightens; the failed founder starts again.
Examples
- Children are often remarkably resilient, adapting to changes that overwhelm adults.
- The economy proved more resilient than analysts had feared, recovering within a year.
- Engineers chose a flexible alloy to make the bridge resilient to earthquakes.
Synonyms
tough · adaptable · hardy · buoyant · robust
In TOEFL & IELTS
Ubiquitous in modern exam materials: climate-resilient cities, resilient ecosystems, psychological resilience. IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions about coping with failure are an open invitation to use it. The noun 'resilience' collocates with build, show, and develop — 'building resilience' is practically a set phrase in academic and policy writing.