recreate

1 of 2

verb (1)

rec·​re·​ate ˈre-krē-ˌāt 

recreated; recreating; recreates

transitive verb

: to give new life or freshness to : refresh

supporters of preservation hope to recreate the architectural splendor that the old movie theater had when it first opened

… it became late enough to suggest tea. We had got through one brew, and the three great minds were recreating themselves with cake, when there came another knock at the door …

—G. Dosset

intransitive verb

: to take recreation

an old summer resort where families have been recreating for over a century

recreative

ˈre-krē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

re-create

2 of 2

verb (2)

re-cre·​ate ˌrē-krē-ˈāt 

variants or recreate

re-created or recreated; re-creating or recreating; re-creates

transitive verb

: to create again

especially : to form anew in the imagination

re-creatable

ˌrē-krē-ˈā-tə-bəl 

adjective

re-creation

ˌrē-krē-ˈā-shən 

noun

re-creative

ˌrē-krē-ˈā-tiv 

adjective

re-creator

ˌrē-krē-ˈā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

Verb (1)

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

Examples of recreate in a Sentence

Verb (2)

The movie set re-creates a London street of 1895.

The scene of the crime was re-created based upon police photographs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The designers of This Discord Has Ghosts in It, Will Jobst and Adam Vass, set out to re-create a specific kind of detritus that shapes our experience and communication on the internet: the IRC messages, the C-boxes, the replies and DMs that linger online long after a conversation is done. —Camille Butera, WIRED, 1 Apr. 2024

To re-create that relaxing atmosphere, apply sage green on bathroom walls and bring in some fresh greenery for natural decor. 48 Modern Bathroom Ideas for a Spa-Like Escape 4. —Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Mar. 2024

In an interview with the Toronto Sun, Cameron detailed a study that used stunt people and hypothermia experts to re-create the film’s scene — an experiment timed to the release of a remastered version of the film. —Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024

The 21-year-old pop star hilariously re-created Kidman’s viral AMC Theaters speech — a dramatic video of which plays onscreen before each showing at the company’s locations across the United States — in a TikTok video posted Tuesday. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2024

The goal is to re-create often-famous pieces of art in a three-dimensional setting using real people and a variety of props and material. —Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024

Wickedness rules in today’s film culture, such that Glazer can re-create Auschwitz as a sci-fi gimmick. —Armond White, National Review, 20 Mar. 2024

The 2024 presentation re-creates 13 pieces of art inspired by stories from the Old Testament and up through the New Testament, using the varied skill sets of some 300 volunteers. —Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024

This little bloom, with barely an inch of stem attached, still likely had enough energy within it to re-create an entire plant body, if given the right conditions. —Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English recreaten, borrowed from Latin recreāre "to make new, restore, revive" — more at recreation

Verb (2)

re- + create entry 1

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Verb (2)

1587, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

recreate

1 of 2 verb

rec·​re·​ate ˈrek-rē-ˌāt 

recreated; recreating

1

: to give new life or freshness to

2

: to take recreation

recreative

-ˌāt-iv

adjective

re-create

2 of 2 verb

re-cre·​ate

ˌrē-krē-ˈāt

: to create again especially in the imagination

re-creation

-ˈā-shən

noun

re-creative

-ˈāt-iv

adjective