Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

re

noun
\ˈrā \

Definition of re 

(Entry 1 of 4)

: the second note of the major scale in solfège

re

preposition
\ˈrā, ˈrē \

Definition of re (Entry 2 of 4)

: with regard to : in re

Re

symbol

Definition of Re (Entry 3 of 4)

rhenium

re-

prefix

Definition of re- (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : again : anew retell

2 : back : backward recall

Examples of re in a Sentence

Noun

 do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti

First Known Use of re

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1707, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for re

Noun

Medieval Latin, from the syllable sung to this note in a medieval hymn to St. John the Baptist

Preposition

Latin, ablative of res thing — more at real

Prefix

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin re-, red- back, again, against

Preposition

Latin, ablative of res thing

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about re

Dictionary Entries near re

rdv

RDX

RDY

re

Re

re-

REA

Statistics for re

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for re

The first known use of re was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for re

re

noun

English Language Learners Definition of re

 (Entry 1 of 3)

music : the second note of a musical scale

re

preposition

English Language Learners Definition of re (Entry 2 of 3)

: on the subject of : regarding or concerning

re-

prefix

English Language Learners Definition of re- (Entry 3 of 3)

: again

: back to an original place, condition, etc.

See the full definition for re- in the English Language Learners Dictionary

re

noun
\ˈrā \

Kids Definition of re

: the second note of the musical scale

re-

prefix

Kids Definition of re-

1 : again refill

2 : back : backward recall

Re

symbol

Medical Definition of Re 

rhenium

Keep scrolling for more

re

preposition
\ˈrā, ˈrē \

Legal Definition of re 

(Entry 1 of 2)

: with regard to : in re

re-

prefix

Legal Definition of re- (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : again : anew reinvest

2 : back : backward reconvey

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on re

See words that rhyme with re

Spanish Central: Translation of re

Nglish: Translation of re for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of re for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about re

Comments on re

What made you want to look up re? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

rebuff

to reject or criticize sharply

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

TRENDING NOW

  1. rogue Trump speculates on Saudi journalist's fate

  2. nepotism Trump muses about Ivanka UN appointment

  3. cloture McConnell motions for Kavanaugh vote

  4. quorum Kavanaugh advances to Senate floor

  5. sequela Ford testifies in front of Senate

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games