revive

play

verb re·vive \ ri-ˈvīv \

Definition of revive

revived; reviving

intransitive verb

:to return to consciousness or life :become active or flourishing again

transitive verb

1 :to restore to consciousness or life

2 :to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state :bring back

3 :to renew in the mind or memory

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revivable

play \-ˈvī-və-bəl\ adjective

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reviver

noun

See revive defined for English-language learners

See revive defined for kids

Examples of revive in a Sentence

The success of the movie has revived her career.
The government is trying to revive the economy.
Our spirits were revived by his enthusiasm.
The store's business is beginning to revive.
The family is trying to revive an old custom.
He has decided to revive Molière's Tartuffe.

Recent Examples of revive from the Web

Paramedics were unable to revive the person, police said.

— staff report, Daily Southtown, "Police: Off-duty Chicago cop involved in fatal shooting in Hazel Crest," 30 Aug. 2017
Originally an '80s soap opera that followed the feud between the über-rich Carrington and Colby families that made their fortunes off oil, the CW is reviving the classic.

— gabe bergado, Teen Vogue, "“Dynasty” Reboot Is Kicking Its Homophobia Story Line From the Original," 3 Aug. 2017
The act is a dying art, and someone needs to revive it.

— sarah paulson, Town & Country, "Billie Lourd's New Life," 1 Aug. 2017
And this season, Red Wing dug into its archives to revive one of the shoes that inspired all future boots: the limited edition Irish Setter.

— christine flammia, Esquire, "These Are Going to Be Your Favorite Fall Boots," 25 July 2017
FLORENCE – Shelved plans for a Menards home-improvement center inside Florence Heights commercial center have been revived.

— chris mayhew, Cincinnati.com, "Florence Menards on way as Chick-fil-A opening nears," 24 July 2017
This could help hundreds of millions of children stuck in dismal classes—but only if edtech boosters can resist the temptation to revive harmful ideas about how children learn.

— The Economist, "Education technologyTogether, technology and teachers can revamp schools," 22 July 2017
But what if the Senate’s Republican leaders can rally the votes to revive a bill?

— audrey dutton and cynthia sewell, idahostatesman, "Obamacare repeal has faltered. But Congress still has big plans for your health care.," 20 July 2017
The Annual Clam Shell Pitch Competition lasted years but eventually faded from the town’s memory —— until 2009, when the Avalon Historical Society revived the tradition.

— tarpley hitt, Philly.com, "Things to do down the Shore July 21-23," 19 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'revive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of revive

Middle English, from Anglo-French revivre, from Latin revivere to live again, from re- + vivere to live — more at quick

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

revive Synonyms

Synonyms

reanimate, recharge, regenerate, rejuvenate, rekindle, renew, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, revivify, rewake, rewaken

Related Words

jump-start, kick-start; reactivate, restart; reinvent; refresh, refreshen

Near Antonyms

extinguish, kill, quench, suppress

REVIVE Defined for English Language Learners

revive

play

verb

Definition of revive for English Language Learners

: to make (someone or something) strong, healthy, or active again
: to become strong, healthy, or active again
: to bring (something) back into use or popularity

REVIVE Defined for Kids

revive

play

verb re·vive \ ri-ˈvīv \

Definition of revive for Students

revived; reviving

1 :to bring back or come back to life, consciousness, freshness, or activity

Doctors revived the patient.

… it was no good … with no hope of any breakfast to revive him.
—J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

2 :to bring back into use or popularity

The family revived an old custom.

Word Root of revive

The Latin word vivere, meaning “to live,” gives us the root viv. Words from the Latin vivere have something to do with living. To survive is to remain alive. To revive is to bring back to life. Someone vivacious is full of life and is lively and energetic. Something, such as a story, that is vivid appears to be full of life and freshness.