resource
/rɪˈsɔːs/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
A supply of money, people, materials, or time that can be used when needed. It can also mean something useful that helps you do a job or solve a problem.
- The school has limited resources.
- We need more resources for the project.
- 2.
A useful book, website, tool, or source of information for learning or work.
- This website is a good learning resource.
- The library has many online resources.
Adinary Nuance
Resource is broader than help or support. It can mean money, staff, materials, time, or a useful source of information. Use resource when you want to sound practical, especially in school, business, or academic writing. For a single helpful thing, people often say tool, aid, or source instead.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nguồn lực
- Spanish
- recurso
- Chinese
- 资源
- Japanese
- 資源
- Korean
- 자원
Etymology
Resource came into English from French in the 16th century. It goes back to Latin resurgere-related roots meaning 'to rise again' or 'to recover,' which connects to the idea of having help available.
Common phrases
natural resourceshuman resourceslearning resourceslimited resources
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is resource countable or uncountable?
- It can be both. Use "resource" for one item, and "resources" for supplies or useful materials in general.
- What is the difference between resource and source?
- A source gives something. A resource is something useful that you can use.
- Is resource formal?
- Yes, it is common in academic, business, and official writing.
- What does natural resources mean?
- It means useful things from nature, like water, oil, trees, and minerals.