renovate

verb

ren·​o·​vate ˈre-nə-ˌvāt How to pronounce renovate (audio)
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 noun
renovative adjective
renovator 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").

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Los Angeles, California This 1924 Spanish-modern Mediterranean in Silver Lake was renovated by architect Josiah Maddock. The Week Staff, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024 According to the listing, it has been recently renovated. Genevieve Redsten, Journal Sentinel, 4 Nov. 2024 Sotheby’s has hired Herzog & de Meuron to renovate and adapt Marcel Breuer’s old Whitney Museum on Madison Avenue as an auction house. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 Nov. 2024 Sotheby’s has revealed that Pritzker Prize–winning Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron will renovate its new global headquarters, the iconic Breuer Building at 945 Madison Avenue on New York’s Upper East Side. News Desk, Artforum, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for renovate 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of renovate was in 1535

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Dictionary Entries Near renovate

Cite this Entry

“Renovate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/renovate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

renovate

verb
ren·​o·​vate ˈren-ə-ˌvāt How to pronounce renovate (audio)
renovated; renovating
: to make like new again : put in good condition
renovation noun
renovator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on renovate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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