Pause vs. Resume: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 6, 2023
Pause means to temporarily stop or halt; Resume means to continue or restart after a stoppage.
Key Differences
Pause refers to a temporary cessation or interruption in an activity, action, or process. Resume, conversely, denotes the act of beginning again or continuing an activity after it has been paused or interrupted.
The word Pause emphasizes a momentary break or halt, suggesting a need to stop for various reasons. Resume, in contrast, focuses on the recommencement, emphasizing the continuity or return to the original activity.
For instance, in a music player, the pause button will halt the song, allowing listeners a moment of silence. The resume function, however, would allow the song to continue from where it was paused, providing continuity.
Both Pause and Resume find usage across different contexts, from media playback to real-life scenarios. While you might pause a conversation to gather your thoughts, you would resume the conversation once you're ready to proceed.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Temporary stop or halt
Continue or restart after a stoppage
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Grammatical Function
Verb (primarily), Noun
Verb (primarily), Noun
Opposite Action
Stops or interrupts
Restarts or continues
Contextual Application
Implies a break in continuity
Implies a return to continuity
Example of Usage
Pause a video
Resume a video from where it was paused
Pause and Resume Definitions
Pause
A control on a device that halts its function.
Press pause on the remote.
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Resume
To return to or recover a previous state or practice.
He resumed his studies after a year's break.
Pause
To cease or suspend an action temporarily
She paused in her piano exercises to listen for the baby.
Resume
To bring back to attention or discussion.
Let's resume our discussion on the topic.
Pause
To hesitate
He paused before replying.
Resume
A brief account of one's professional or work experience and qualifications.
I sent my resume to the hiring manager.
Pause
To linger; tarry
We paused for a while under the huge oak tree.
Resume
A brief account of one's professional or work experience and qualifications, often submitted with an employment application.
Pause
To cease or suspend the action of temporarily; stop for an interim
Paused the printer to add more paper.
Paused the DVD with the remote.
Resume
A summary
A résumé of the facts of the case.
Pause
A break, stop, or rest, often for a calculated purpose or effect
After a dramatic pause, the lawyer finished her summation.
Resume
To begin or take up again after interruption
Resumed our dinner.
Pause
A delay or suspended reaction, as from uncertainty; a hesitation
After a pause the audience broke into cheers.
Resume
To assume, take, or occupy again
The dog resumed its post by the door.
Pause
Delay or hesitation
Spoke without pause for an hour.
Resume
To take on or take back again
Resumed my original name.
Pause
Reason for hesitation
The immensity of the task gives one pause.
Resume
To begin again or continue after interruption.
Pause
(Music) A sign, such as a fermata, indicating that a note or rest is to be held.
Resume
To take back possession of (something).
Pause
A break or rest in a line of poetry; a caesura.
Resume
To summarise.
Pause
A control mechanism on an audio or video player that halts the playing of a recording and permits playing to be easily resumed from the same point.
Resume
(transitive) To start (something) again that has been stopped or paused from the point at which it was stopped or paused; continue, carry on.
We will resume this discussion tomorrow at nine.
Pause
(intransitive) To take a temporary rest, take a break for a short period after an effort.
Resume
(intransitive) To start again after an interruption or pause.
Normal service has resumed.
Pause
(intransitive) To interrupt an activity and wait.
When telling the scary story, he paused for effect.
Resume
A summary or synopsis.
Pause
(intransitive) To hesitate; to hold back; to delay.
Resume
A summary or account of education and employment experiences and qualifications; a curriculum vitae (often for presentation to a potential future employer when applying for a job).
Pause
(transitive) To halt the play or playback of, temporarily, so that it can be resumed from the same point.
To pause a song, a video, or a computer game
Resume
A summing up; a condensed statement; an abridgment or brief recapitulation.
The exellent little résumé thereof in Dr. Landsborough's book.
Pause
To consider; to reflect.
Resume
To take back.
The sun, like this, from which our sight we have,Gazed on too long, resumes the light he gave.
Perhaps God will resume the blessing he has bestowed ere he attains the age of manhood.
Pause
A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.
Resume
To enter upon, or take up again.
Reason resumed her place, and Passion fled.
Pause
A short time for relaxing and doing something else.
Resume
To begin again; to recommence, as something which has been interrupted; as, to resume an argument or discourse.
Pause
Hesitation; suspense; doubt.
Resume
Short descriptive summary (of events)
Pause
In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation mark.
Teach the pupil to mind the pauses.
Resume
A summary of your academic and work history
Pause
A break or paragraph in writing.
Resume
Take up or begin anew;
We resumed the negotiations
Pause
(music) A sign indicating continuance of a note or rest.
Resume
Return to a previous location or condition;
The painting resumed its old condition when we restored it
Pause
Alternative spelling of Pause
Resume
Assume anew;
Resume a title
Resume an office
Resume one's duties
Pause
Take pause: hesitate; give pause: cause to hesitate
Resume
Give a summary (of);
He summed up his results
I will now summarize
Pause
A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.
Resume
To begin again or continue after an interruption.
After the interruption, the speaker resumed his speech.
Pause
Temporary inaction or waiting; hesitation; suspence; doubt.
I stand in pause where I shall first begin.
Resume
To take up or occupy again.
She resumed her seat after standing.
Pause
In speaking or reading aloud, a brief arrest or suspension of voice, to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts.
Pause
In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation point; as, teach the pupil to mind the pauses.
Pause
A break or paragraph in writing.
He writes with warmth, which usually neglects method, and those partitions and pauses which men educated in schools observe.
Pause
A hold. See 4th Hold, 7.
Pause
To make a short stop; to cease for a time; to intermit speaking or acting; to stop; to wait; to rest.
Pausing a while, thus to herself she mused.
Pause
To be intermitted; to cease; as, the music pauses.
Pause
To hesitate; to hold back; to delay.
Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture.
Pause
To stop in order to consider; hence, to consider; to reflect.
Pause
To cause to stop or rest; - used reflexively.
Pause
A time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
Pause
Temporary inactivity
Pause
Interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing;
The speaker paused
Pause
Cease an action temporarily;
We pause for station identification
Let's break for lunch
Pause
A temporary stop or break in continuity.
Let's take a pause before we continue.
Pause
A momentary cessation of an activity.
He took a pause to drink water.
Pause
An interruption or disruption.
The rain caused a pause in the game.
Pause
A brief silence or interval in speech or music.
There was a pause before the applause.
FAQs
How is Resume related to Pause?
Resume means to continue or restart an activity after it has been paused.
Why would one need to pause an activity?
Reasons can vary, from needing a break to interruptions.
Can Pause also be a noun?
Yes, e.g., "There was a brief pause in the conversation."
In media players, what's the difference between Pause and Resume?
Pause halts playback; Resume continues it from the point it was halted.
Does Resume only relate to paused activities?
No, Resume can also mean to continue activities that were stopped for other reasons.
Can a machine pause its operations?
Yes, many machines have pause functions for various reasons.
What does Pause imply on its own?
Pause implies a temporary stop or break in an activity.
Can Pause and Resume be used interchangeably?
No, Pause indicates a stop, while Resume denotes a continuation.
How is Resume used in job applications?
It refers to a document listing one's qualifications and experience.
Is Resume only a verb?
No, it's also a noun referring to a summary of qualifications and experience.
Is there a time limit to how long something can be paused?
No, something can be paused briefly or for extended periods.
Do Pause and Resume have synonyms?
Yes. For Pause: halt, stop. For Resume: continue, restart.
Can a conversation be resumed?
Yes, after a break or interruption, a conversation can be resumed.
Can you resume something without pausing it first?
Typically, no. Resume implies a prior stoppage, but the stop might not always be a "pause."
What's a common context for using Resume outside of pausing?
Job applications, where it refers to a document listing qualifications and experience.
Are Pause and Resume opposites?
In many contexts, yes. Pause stops, and Resume continues.
Can activities always be resumed from where they were paused?
Not always; it depends on the activity and context.
Is "unpause" a synonym for Resume?
Informally, yes, especially in media contexts.
Why might one resume a previous activity?
Reasons could include renewed interest, necessity, or completion.
Is a "pause" always noticeable?
Not necessarily; some pauses are brief or subtle.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
