WordGarden.iorejection
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪdʒˈɛkʃən/
US
- /riˈdʒɛkʃən/
Meanings
Noun
an act or instance of refusing, turning down, or not accepting something
the experience of being refused, excluded, or not accepted by someone or a group
the body's immune response against a transplanted organ or tissue
Beyond the definition
Rejection is not always dramatic. It can be as simple as a shop assistant saying they do not have the size you need. But it often carries emotional weight because it means that something was not welcomed, chosen, or accepted. A writer faces rejection when a publisher turns down a manuscript. A person may feel rejection after a breakup or when a friend pulls away. Sometimes we even reject our own ideas before anyone else can respond to them. The feeling can be painful, but it is also a normal part of life, and learning to deal with it helps people grow.
Rejection describes the act or result of being dismissed, refused, or not accepted. It is more than simply hearing "no"; it suggests that something has not been approved, chosen, welcomed, or allowed to continue. The context can vary widely. A job applicant experiences rejection when they do not get the position. An artist may feel it when a gallery does not choose their work. Even a simple suggestion in a meeting can be met with rejection from colleagues.
The emotional impact of rejection is often significant, ranging from mild disappointment to deep hurt and insecurity. It touches on a basic human need for belonging and acceptance. While painful, rejection is not always negative. Sometimes it can lead to positive change by pushing us to rethink our goals, improve our work, or choose a different path.
The word "rejection" also has specific meanings in certain fields. In medicine, rejection refers to the body's immune response against transplanted tissue or an organ. In statistics, it means deciding not to accept a hypothesis based on the evidence. In everyday speech, it can also refer to social or romantic refusal, official denial, or the return of something that does not meet a standard.
Ultimately, rejection is an unavoidable part of life. Learning to handle it, to understand why something was turned down, and to keep moving forward is an important part of resilience and personal development. It reminds us that not everything will be the right fit, and that growth often depends on continuing even after disappointment.
Examples
- 1
Job search
She took the job rejection hard, even though she had done well in the interview.
- 2
Publishing
After a few rejections from publishers, he stopped sending out his novel.
- Patternrejections from + people/organizations
separate times when they said no
- 3
Relationships
His fear of rejection made it hard for him to start new relationships.
- Phrasefear of rejection
worry that other people will not accept you
- 4
Committee decision
The committee's rejection of the proposal surprised everyone.
- Patternrejection of + idea/proposal
a decision not to accept it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Misread silence
She saw his silence as rejection, not just shyness.
- 6
Transplant medicine
Doctors watched closely for signs of rejection after the transplant.
- Domain
in medicine, signs of rejection are signs that the body is attacking a new organ
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- face rejection
- fear of rejection
- rejection letter
- application rejection
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- rejectionnoun
Forms
- rejectionspluralnoun