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

Did you know?

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

Example Sentences

It's an old factory that has been renovated as office space. We renovated the kitchen three years ago.
Recent Examples on the Web Throughout her time on HGTV, the California-native has renovated hundreds of properties. Karla Walsh, Country Living, 30 May 2023 The anti-colonial battle against extractivism is continuously being renovated in more radical and aggressive forms of methods of resistance. Emiliano Granada, Variety, 29 May 2023 The shopping center has been renovated in the past year. Maria Morales, Baltimore Sun, 26 May 2023 Real estate agent Angela Key has been renovating and flipping homes for 25 years. Ryan Conner, Dallas News, 25 May 2023 So a slew of HGTV stars and the six actors who played the Brady kids on the series completely renovated the interiors of the home on the series A Very Brady Renovation. Liza Esquibias, Peoplemag, 24 May 2023 While the entire apartment has been carefully renovated, what remains from Matisse’s time are the large windows and glass exposures in the great room. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 24 May 2023 Big changes include hiring new staff members, renovating the space, inventing new menu items, and sending the longtime employees to culinary school to prepare for a work environment with heavier demands. Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 May 2023 Trump's company renovated the building, which sits blocks from the White House, and converted it into a luxury hotel, the Trump International Hotel. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 15 May 2023 See More

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 2 Jun. 2023.

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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