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

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").

Synonyms of renovate

• repair
• rebuild
• reconstruct
• fix

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

Rooms Guest rooms and suites were fully renovated within the last several years and now lean into a desert-modern look rather than classic cream Four Seasons formality. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Plans call for the property to be renovated for a new tenant and returned to active use. — Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2026

De Brand is working to renovate the site into offices and housing for the Belgian social welfare organization CAW Oost-Vlaanderen, which hopes to be able to use the gold for the good of the local community. — Kate Matthams, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

There are personal, historic touches to the wall paper, including Belden’s signature, found while renovating. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for renovate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

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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