What does rejected mean?
Rejected is the past tense and past participle of reject and is also used as an adjective. It means that someone has refused to accept, approve, permit, or recognize something, or has denied another person entry, participation, or opportunity. The word is common in formal contexts such as applications, proposals, manuscripts, job candidates, and membership requests, as well as in ordinary conversation about personal or social rejection. Its emotional force depends on context: a rejected proposal may simply have failed to meet the required standards, while a rejected person may experience hurt, exclusion, or disappointment. Although “accepted” is a direct contrast, rejected can also suggest a more active act of refusal or dismissal than a neutral description of something not chosen. Historically, the word is built from Latin elements meaning “back” and “to throw,” preserving the image of something being sent back.
Refused to accept, approve, allow, or recognize; denied someone entry, participation, or opportunity.
"The committee rejected the proposal because it was too costly."
The past tense and past participle of reject; standard in formal, professional, and everyday English.
Describing a person or thing that has been refused, excluded, or denied acceptance.
"The rejected candidate appealed the decision."
Common in fixed phrases such as “rejected application” and “rejected manuscript.”
Rejected literally means “thrown back”: it comes from Latin re-, meaning “back,” and jacere, meaning “to throw.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rejected come from?
Rejected comes through Middle English and French from the Latin past participle rejectus, formed from re-, meaning “back,” and jacere, meaning “to throw.” The development of the Latin verb rejectare originally conveyed the idea of throwing or driving back. Related English words such as eject, object, project, and subject ultimately involve forms of the same Latin root for throwing or presenting.
How rejected is actually used
Rejected is neutral to negative in most contexts, but can imply exclusion or personal disappointment. It is widely used in formal, professional, and everyday English in both British and American varieties.
Easily confused with rejected
Rejected means refused or excluded, whereas resented means felt bitter or aggrieved about something.