renovate

verb

ren·​o·​vate ˈre-nə-ˌvāt 

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

ˌre-nə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

renovative

ˈre-nə-ˌvā-tiv 

adjective

renovator

ˈre-nə-ˌvā-tər 

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").

Synonyms

• doctor
• fix
• mend
• patch
• recondition
• repair
• revamp

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 noted there were tarps and other construction materials on or about the building that seemed to indicate it was being renovated. —Steven Mross, arkansasonline.com, 7 Apr. 2024

Some immediate changes plaintiffs seek include unlocking restroom doors to the public and renovating them to help users with mobility devices easily navigate them. —Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024

As other sections of Disneyland continue to be renovated, improved, or removed, it’s always seemed a bit odd that Autopia has remained unchanged. —Germain Lussier / Gizmodo, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024

The capital allowed the New York brewery to expand to a 20,000-square-foot facility—double the size of the original—and renovate the taproom, plus open a Sake Studies Center that offers classes for both consumers and professionals. —Shana Clarke, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024

Scholars said the home being renovated was adjacent to a bakery where slaves and donkeys were locked up together and used to power a mill. —Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024

The Fillmore has survived demolition discussions in the past, and in 2022, after Miami Beach voters approved $159 million in bonds to invest in local cultural institutions, $29 million was allocated to renovate it. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024

The couple bought and renovated the home in Toluca Lake, and Potts told Really Famous that Hayman joined her there after NCIS wrapped in 2021. —Makena Gera, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2024

Nelson — who praised county officials' use of ARPA funds to clear a backlog of courtroom cases caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, renovate the 65-year-old courthouse and beef up its health department — said the county is already on a path toward setting priorities, but in a comprehensive manner. —Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024

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

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Kids Definition

renovate

verb

ren·​o·​vate ˈren-ə-ˌvāt 

renovated; renovating

: to make like new again : put in good condition

renovation

ˌren-ə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

renovator

ˈren-ə-ˌvāt-ər 

noun