renovate

1 of 2

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

renovation

2 of 2

noun

ren·​o·​va·​tion

1

: the act or process of renovating : making over : revival

2

: the state of being renovated

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

Verb

• 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

Verb

It's an old factory that has been renovated as office space.

We renovated the kitchen three years ago.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The drama surrounding the Kennedy Center – beyond the performances staged inside – began after Congress approved $258 million to renovate the building. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 23 June 2026

Since then, it’s been thoughtfully renovated to combine elements of Lake Tahoe’s Nordic Alpine aesthetic with contemporary lake-house touches. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 22 June 2026

The kitchen is quite small but nicely renovated (the tile floors are lovely). — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 22 June 2026

Dirk and Martine, had first approached James and Jeff about renovating the existing lodge. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin renovatus, past participle of renovare, from re- + novare to make new, from novus new — more at new

Noun

Middle English renovacion, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French renovation, from Latin renovation-, renovatio, from renovatus (past participle of renovare to renew) + -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

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