What does respite mean?
Word: Respite
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Respite means a short rest or break from something tiring or unpleasant.
Synonyms: rest, break
How do you spell respite?
Syllables: res - pite
Tricky part: The word is easily cut short, because its last letter has no sound of its own. Without that final e it is not a word at all.
Watch out for: respit, respight
Memory tip: A respite is a rest, so the word lets its last letter rest too: a quiet final e.
Respite in a sentence
Example 1: A quiet walk by the lake was a welcome respite after a noisy day at the fair.
Example 2: Sunday gave my mother a respite from her morning rush.
Example 3: A cup of tea was her only respite during the busy morning.
Fun Fact
Writers love the phrase without respite, meaning with no pause at all, for endless rain, noise or work. Oxford traces the noun through Old French to a Latin word for refuge.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word respite as used in the sentence:
A sudden shower brought the cricketers some respite from the June heat in Nagpur.
a) warning
b) relief
c) burden
d) reward
Show answer
b) relief. The shower eased the heat for a while, and that is relief.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
r_s_ite
a) a, p
b) e, p
c) e, b
d) i, p
Show answer
b) e, p. The opening is res, and a p comes just before the ite.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
resspite
a) s
b) p
c) t
d) r
Show answer
a) s. This word keeps to a single s.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are misspelt. Choose the meaning of the correctly spelt one.
1. intervel 2. exaustion 3. leasure 4. respite
a) time that is free from work or duties
b) the state of being very tired
c) a short gap between two parts of a show
d) a welcome pause from something hard
Show answer
d) a welcome pause from something hard. Each other word has a slip: interval takes an a, leisure takes an i, and exhaustion takes an h.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A farmer says the cloudy week gave him a respite. What has most likely happened?
a) His field doubled in size this year.
b) The fierce heat eased for a while.
c) The crop sold at a very good price.
d) His new tractor arrived at last.
Show answer
b) The fierce heat eased for a while.
2. What gives a student a respite?
a) a surprise test on the morning after exams
b) an extra chapter to finish over the weekend
c) a free afternoon after a week of exams
d) a longer reading list before the exams
Show answer
c) a free afternoon after a week of exams
