renovate

verb

ren·​o·​vate ˈre-nə-ˌvāt How to pronounce renovate (audio)
renovated; renovating

transitive verb

1
: to restore to a former better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding)
2
: to restore to life, vigor, or activity : revive
the church was renovated by a new ecumenical spirit
renovation noun
renovative adjective
renovator noun

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What Is the Difference Between renovate, renew, and restore?

Renovate, renew, restore, refresh, and rejuvenate all mean to make like new. Renovate (a word ultimately derived from the Latin verb novare, meaning "to make new," itself a descendant of novus, meaning "new") suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding. Renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new ("efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle"). Restore suggests a return to an original state after depletion or loss ("restored a piece of furniture"). Refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power ("a refreshing drink"). Rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance ("she was rejuvenated by her new job").

Choose the Right Synonym for renovate

renew, restore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate mean to make like new.

renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Examples of renovate in a Sentence

It's an old factory that has been renovated as office space. We renovated the kitchen three years ago.
Recent Examples on the Web It was originally built in 1978, renovated again in 2005, and once more in 2020. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 Its 22-person staff works out of a downtown office building because its previous space at the Smithsonian Castle, headquarters of the cultural institution, is being renovated. Manuel Roig-Franzia, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 His family has renovated downtown Naples, Winnetka, Illinois, on the north shore of Chicago, and Avon, Colorado, the base of Beaver Creek Ski Mountain, Hoffmann said. Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 Three of the property’s four cottages were originally fishing shacks from the 1940s, but they’ve been renovated and decorated with regional themes. Kayla Michelle Smith, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2024 Both the Red Sox and Cubs have renovated and expanded their footprints to add some modern amenities to their parks. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 She's complained that a hotel isn't part of the plan to renovate and expand the center. The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024 In 2019, Phoenix City Council saw backlash over its decision to spend $230 million to renovate Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Suns basketball team. Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 The tax revenue would go to help pay an as-yet undefined portion of the cost for a new Royals ballpark in the Crossroads Arts District near downtown, as well as more than half of the cost of renovating Arrowhead Stadium. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'renovate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin renovatus, past participle of renovare, from re- + novare to make new, from novus new — more at new

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of renovate was in 1535

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Dictionary Entries Near renovate

Cite this Entry

“Renovate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/renovate. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

renovate

verb
ren·​o·​vate ˈren-ə-ˌvāt How to pronounce renovate (audio)
renovated; renovating
: to make like new again : put in good condition
renovation noun
renovator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on renovate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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