reject

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verb re·ject \ri-ˈjekt\

Definition of reject

transitive verb
1a : to refuse to accept, consider, submit to, take for some purpose, or use rejected the suggestion reject a manuscriptb : to refuse to hear, receive, or admit : rebuff, repel parents who reject their childrenc : to refuse as lover or spouse
2 obsolete : to cast off
3 : throw back, repulse
4 : to spew out
5 : to subject to immunological rejection

rejecter

rejector

play \-ˈjek-tər\ noun

rejectingly

play \-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

rejective

play \-ˈjek-tiv\ adjective

See reject defined for English-language learners

See reject defined for kids

Examples of reject in a Sentence

My teacher rejected my excuse for being late.
The committee rejected my proposal.
The produce inspector rejected several crates of berries that had begun to grow mold.
The college rejects hundreds of applicants each year.
We rejected 5 of the 10 job applicants right away.

Origin and Etymology of reject

Middle English, from Latin rejectus, past participle of reicere, from re- + jacere to throw — more at jet

NEW!

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of reject

decline, refuse, reject, repudiate, spurn mean to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering. decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations. declined his party's nomination refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for. refused to lend them the money reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding. rejected the manuscript as unpublishable repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance. teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation. spurned his overtures of friendship

reject

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noun re·ject \ˈrē-ˌjekt\

Definition of reject

: a rejected person or thing; especially : one rejected as not wanted, unsatisfactory, or not fulfilling requirements

See reject defined for English-language learners

Examples of reject in a Sentence

Stack the promising applications here, and put the rejects over there.
was the school reject as a child and has low self-esteem even today

First Known Use of reject

circa 1555

REJECT Defined for English Language Learners

reject

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verb

Definition of reject for English Language Learners

: to refuse to believe, accept, or consider (something)
: to decide not to publish (something) or make (something) available to the public because it is not good enough
: to refuse to allow (someone) to join a club, to attend a school, etc.

reject

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noun

Definition of reject for English Language Learners

: something that is not good enough for some purpose : something that cannot be used or accepted
: a person who is not accepted or liked by other people

REJECT Defined for Kids

reject

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verb re·ject \ri-ˈjekt\

Definition of reject for Students

rejected

;

rejecting

: to refuse to accept, believe, or consider Dad rejected my excuse. He rejected their offer.

Word Root of reject

The Latin word jacere, meaning “to throw,” and its form jactus give us the root ject. Words from the Latin jacere have something to do with throwing. To reject is to throw back or away. To eject is to throw out. To inject is to throw one thing into another. To project is to throw forward onto a surface.

reject

play

noun re·ject \ˈrē-ˌjekt\

Definition of reject for Students

: a person or thing not accepted as good enough for some purpose

Medical Dictionary

reject

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transitive verb re·ject \ri-ˈjekt\

Medical Definition of reject

1: to rebuff, repel, refuse to hear, or withhold love from; especially : to communicate negative feelings toward and a wish to be free of parents who reject their children
2: to subject to immunological rejection rejected a heart transplant