rejection - Master This Word

rejection Word Meanings

• the act of not accepting something offered or proposed
• a feeling of being refused or not accepted by others
• in medicine, the body's rejection of a transplanted organ

rejection Example Sentences

Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.

• She felt the rejection after the job interview.
• She read the rejection letter from the school.
• His rejection hurt his pride.
• People showed their rejection of my idea.
• I fear rejection when I ask for help.

rejection Word Etymology

Root decomposition: prefix re- (back/again) + root -ject (to throw) + suffix -ion to form a noun. Historical origin: from Latin reicere ‘to throw back’ → Late Latin reiectio → Old French rejet / rejection → English. Memory image: imagine a ball tossed back to you and discarded, as if your idea is thrown back and refused.

English Brain Route

I start by letting my shoulders settle, my eyes hovering over a message. I push the idea aside, then shift my focus to what is offered. A quiet pressure grows as I change course, and I pull back from agreement, choosing not to say yes. The act of rejection feels like a small move, a bit of control that keeps space for something else to fit.

Real Context

Rejection is a noun describing two broad ideas: the act of not accepting something offered or proposed, and the feeling of being shut out or turned down by others. In medicine, it also refers to the body's immune response rejecting a transplanted organ. The word comes from Latin reicere, meaning to throw back, with the -ject root meaning throw, and the suffix -ion to form a noun. People talk about rejection in contexts like job offers, proposals, and social situations, as well as in clinical settings when a transplant fails. Understanding its nuances helps distinguish it from simple refusal, sarcasm, or mere disappointment.

Usage Reminders

• Use rejection to describe both a decision not to accept and the feeling of being declined. Use collocations like rejection letter, rejection notice, and rejection of a proposal. In medicine, specify rejection when talking about organ transplants. Prefer 'be rejected' for active experiences and 'reject' as the verb form. Distinguish rejection from 'refusal' in casual contexts. Remember the noun form is always rejection, not 'rejected' in this sense.

Common Misconceptions

• Rejection only means turning down offers, not feelings.
• Rejection is the same as refusal in all contexts.
• Medical rejection is the same as social rejection.
• Rejection always implies a negative outcome for the person who offered.
• Rejection cannot be used with abstract ideas or proposals.

Thinking Differences

English tends to separate the act of rejecting from the emotional experience; learners often confuse the noun with feelings and confuse with other verbs like refuse.

Learning Tips

• Learn the two core senses: act of declining and feeling of being refused.
• Note common collocations: rejection letter, rejection notice, rejection of a proposal.
• In medical contexts, pair rejection with organ transplant terms.
• Use be rejected for passive experiences; reject as a verb for active denial.
• Keep straight: rejection vs refusal in casual speech.
• Practice with different subjects (offer, proposal, invitation) to hear natural collocations.

5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English

Related Listening

🔥 Advanced

🔥 Advanced

The Prize That Taught Me to Keep Going

English Learning Listening Content

2025.08.13 · 0:53 · B2

Listen Now