recreate

1 of 2

verb (1)

rec·​re·​ate ˈre-krē-ˌāt 

recreated; recreating; recreates

transitive verb

: to give new life or freshness to : refresh

supporters of preservation hope to recreate the architectural splendor that the old movie theater had when it first opened

… it became late enough to suggest tea. We had got through one brew, and the three great minds were recreating themselves with cake, when there came another knock at the door …

—G. Dosset

intransitive verb

: to take recreation

an old summer resort where families have been recreating for over a century

recreative

ˈre-krē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

re-create

2 of 2

verb (2)

re-cre·​ate ˌrē-krē-ˈāt 

variants or recreate

re-created or recreated; re-creating or recreating; re-creates

transitive verb

: to create again

especially : to form anew in the imagination

re-creatable

ˌrē-krē-ˈā-tə-bəl 

adjective

re-creation

ˌrē-krē-ˈā-shən 

noun

re-creative

ˌrē-krē-ˈā-tiv 

adjective

re-creator

ˌrē-krē-ˈā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of recreate

Verb (1)

• restore
• revive
• refresh

Examples of recreate in a Sentence

Verb (1)

supporters of preservation hope to recreate the architectural splendor that the old movie theater had when it first opened

an old summer resort where families have been recreating for over a century

Verb (2)

The movie set re-creates a London street of 1895.

The scene of the crime was re-created based upon police photographs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Can another site re-create that? —Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Rose Flower Arrangement in Soft Pastels Clip tea roses and miniature roses from the garden or buy a simple grocery store bouquet of roses to re-create this lovely Mother's Day flower arrangement. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026

Stormtroopers and other members of the Galactic Empire will be on hand — thanks to volunteers of the Golden Gate Garrison, a Bay Area organization that re-creates the movies’ costumes — to take pictures and hang out with kids of all ages. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026

With this line, the yard isn’t focused on re-creating the past. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English recreaten, borrowed from Latin recreāre "to make new, restore, revive" — more at recreation

Verb (2)

re- + create entry 1

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Verb (2)

1587, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recreate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

recreate

1 of 2 verb

rec·​re·​ate ˈrek-rē-ˌāt 

recreated; recreating

1

: to give new life or freshness to

2

: to take recreation

recreative

-ˌāt-iv

adjective

re-create

2 of 2 verb

re-cre·​ate

ˌrē-krē-ˈāt

: to create again especially in the imagination

re-creation

-ˈā-shən

noun

re-creative

-ˈāt-iv

adjective