rejuvenate

verb

re·​ju·​ve·​nate ri-ˈjü-və-ˌnāt 

rejuvenated; rejuvenating

transitive verb

1

a

: to make young or youthful again : give new vigor to

b

: to restore to an original or new state

rejuvenate old cars

2

a

: to stimulate (a stream) to renewed erosive activity especially by uplift

b

: to develop youthful features of topography in

intransitive verb

: to cause or undergo rejuvenescence

rejuvenator

ri-ˈjü-və-ˌnā-tər 

noun

Did you know?

Rejuvenate originated as a combination of the prefix re-, which means "again," with the Latin parent of juvenile and junior—juvenis, meaning "young." Rejuvenate literally means "to make young again" and can imply a restoration of physical or mental strength or a return to a more youthful, healthy condition. Things that are timeworn can also be rejuvenated.

Did you know?

Juvenis, Latin for "young", can be seen in a word such as juvenile. Rejuvenation is something that can be carried out on a creaky old house, a clunker of a car, a sluggish career, a weak economy, or a company that's lost its edge, but rejuvenate and rejuvenation are probably used most often for talking about our physical selves. Ads for lotions promise skin rejuvenation; diet-book covers show rejuvenated (or maybe just young) models bursting with health. We still seem to be searching for that "Fuente de la Juventud" that Juan Ponce de León failed to discover five hundred years ago.

Synonyms

• freshen
• recharge
• recreate
• refresh
• refreshen
• regenerate
• renew
• repair
• restore
• resuscitate
• revitalize
• revive
• revivify

Choose the Right Synonym for rejuvenate

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 rejuvenate in a Sentence

The spa treatment rejuvenated me.

Each candidate claims to have a plan to rejuvenate the sagging economy.

Her efforts to rejuvenate her career have so far been unsuccessful.

Recent Examples on the Web

Proven to help reduce signs of aging and rejuvenate the skin, according to the NIH, using red light to enhance has a plausible impact on your weekly routine. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 4 Apr. 2024

Making plans for lunch, window shopping, playing games online or simply hanging out together and buying groceries can be rejuvenating and leave you feeling happy long after the interaction has ended. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

Listen to how a senior center in Florida is using music therapy to help its residents and read about how Yiddish music rejuvenated Candy Cohn's mother, Lillian. —Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024

Here in the northern hemisphere, this year’s spring equinox took place on March 19, wrapping up the winter and heralding in the rejuvenating vibes of springtime. —Nina Kahn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024

Of course, the sugar blast of the most carnal rock songs cannot alone constitute a healthful diet, but a little can be rejuvenating. —Nate Rogers, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024

This rose quartz gua sha tool was perfectly sized to provide a relaxing and rejuvenating facial massage. —Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024

This rejuvenating retreat allows corporate women to disconnect from the constant ping of notifications, share meaningful connections, and prioritize self-care. —Essence, 8 Mar. 2024

Mayor Quinton Lucas and 3rd District Councilwoman Melissa Robinson said at a committee meeting Tuesday that selection of a prospective developer is a hopeful next step for rejuvenating Parade Park Homes. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

re- + Latin juvenis young — more at young

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

rejuvenate

verb

re·​ju·​ve·​nate ri-ˈjü-və-ˌnāt 

rejuvenated; rejuvenating

: to make young or youthful again : give new vigor to

rejuvenation

-ˌjü-və-ˈnā-shən 

noun

rejuvenator

-ˈjü-və-ˌnāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

rejuvenate

verb

re·​ju·​ve·​nate ri-ˈjü-və-ˌnāt 

rejuvenated; rejuvenating

transitive verb

: to make young or youthful again

specifically : to restore sexual vigor in (as by hormones or an operation)

intransitive verb

: to cause or undergo a renewal of youthfulness

rejuvenation

ri-ˌjü-və-ˈnā-shən, ˌrē- 

noun

rejuvenator

ri-ˈjü-və-ˌnāt-ər 

noun