Curriculum vitae vs Resume

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Curriculum vitae

FormalTop 2,000 (common)

Resume

Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most formal: Curriculum vitae
 Curriculum vitaeResume
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //kəˈrɪkjʊləm viˈteɪ//🇺🇸 //kəˈrɪkjʊləm viˈteɪ//🇬🇧 //rɪˈzjuːm//🇺🇸 //rɪˈzum//
MeaningA document listing your education and work experience.To start again after stopping.
ExampleShe submitted her curriculum vitae to the company for the job interview.Please resume the meeting after the break.
RegisterFormalNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level-C1
Part of speechverb
Collocationsupdate curriculum vitae, submit curriculum vitae, strong curriculum vitae, academic curriculum vitae, professional curriculum vitaeresume work, resume operations, resume studies
Antonyms-stop, cease, discontinue
Common mistakesConfused with 'resume'; CV is longer and more detailed., Using 'curriculum vitae' in informal contexts where 'CV' is sufficient., Failing to include all relevant experiences and qualifications in the CV.Confused with 'resumé', which is a document of qualifications., Using 'resume' for a permanent end rather than for restarting., Incorrect verb forms, like using 'resumed' in a wrong context.
Usage notesUsed in job applications; can be abbreviated as 'CV.' More common in UK than US, where 'resume' is preferred.Use 'resume' when talking about restarting something, like an activity or a job. Avoid informality in professional contexts.

Frequently asked questions: Curriculum vitae vs Resume

What's the difference between Curriculum vitae and Resume?

Curriculum vitae: A document listing your education and work experience. Resume: To start again after stopping.

Which is more formal: Curriculum vitae and Resume?

Curriculum vitae is the most formal of these.

Can you show an example of each?

Curriculum vitae: She submitted her curriculum vitae to the company for the job interview. Resume: Please resume the meeting after the break.

Can I use Curriculum vitae and Resume interchangeably?

Not always. Curriculum vitae and Resume are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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