DictionaryAI

renew

ri-NOO/ɹɪˈnu/UKri-NYOO/ɹɪˈnjuː/AUSruh-NYOO/ɹəˈnjuː/

Formsrenews, renewing, renewed

8 meanings of renew

Practice

  1. 1
    verbtransitive
    To make something fresh or like new again.

    Like cleaning a dusty old toy until it looks brand new.

    A fresh coat of paint can renew an old fence.

    They renewed the worn carpet throughout the whole house.

    Similarrestore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate, revitalize

    Note
  2. 2
    verbtransitive or intransitive
    To keep something borrowed for a longer time, like a library book.

    Like pressing snooze to get a little more time.

    You can renew the book online before it is due.

    If you need more time, you can renew at the front desk.

    Note
  3. 3
    verbtransitive
    To start something again after stopping.

    Like picking up a game again after a pause.

    We need to renew the search at first light.

    They renewed their efforts after a short break.

    Similarresume, restart, reopen, recommence

  4. 4
    verbtransitive
    To replace something used up or broken, or keep enough of it ready.

    Like refilling a snack bowl before it runs empty.

    Remember to renew the batteries in the smoke alarm.

    The store renews its stock every Monday morning.

    Similarreplenish, restock, refill, replace, restore

    Oppositedeplete, exhaust

  5. 5
    verbtransitive
    To make someone's spirit feel fresh and strong again.

    Like cleaning a dusty window so the light can shine through again.

    Quiet prayer can renew your spirit when you feel tired and low.

    She felt renewed after a peaceful weekend away from the city.

    Similarregenerate, restore, revive, refresh

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    verbarchaicintransitive
    To become new or fresh again, or to come back to life.

    Like a forest growing back green after a fire.

    Each spring the meadows renew with bright green growth.

    Renewing neighborhoods dealing with vacant buildings badly need options other than demolition or dangerous vacant spaces.
    2010, Michael Allen, "St. Louis Preservation Fund"Here, renewing means becoming new again, coming back to life.
    Note
  2. 7
    verbraretransitive
    To say or do something again.

    Like saying the same thing twice so people remember it.

    They renew the same request at every meeting.

    The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds Attest their joy, that hill and valley rings.
    1667, John Milton, Paradise LostHere, renew means repeat, so the birds sing their songs again.

    Similarrepeat, reiterate, restate

  3. 8
    noun
    The act of making something new again or making it last longer.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of renew apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Middle English renewen, made from re- plus new. It goes back to an older English word meaning to restore or renew.