revive

ruh-VYV/ɹəˈvaɪv/ri-VYV/ɹɪˈvaɪv/

20 meanings of revive

1
verbfigurativelytransitive
To bring something back to life or make it strong and active again after it has been failing.
Like adding more wood to a dying fire to make it burn brightly again.
The new mayor wants to revive the town's old street market.
Local groups worked hard to revive interest in the river cleanup.
Similarrenew, refresh, reinvigorate, revitalize, reestablish
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2
verbtransitive
To help a person or animal wake up again after fainting.
The lifeguard managed to revive the swimmer on the beach.
She used cold water to revive her fainting friend.
Similarresuscitate, rouse, awaken
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3
verbtransitive
To bring a dead person or animal back to life.
In the story, a magic spell could revive fallen heroes.
The healer claimed she could revive animals that had died.
Similarresurrect, reanimate
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4
verbfigurativelytransitive
To bring something back into people's minds or public attention again.
Organizers hoped to revive memories of the festival's early days.
The new exhibit revived public debate about the old monument.
Similarrekindle, resurrect
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5
verbfigurativelytransitive
To bring a feeling or mood back so that it returns again.
The song can revive happy feelings from childhood.
A short walk helped revive her courage before the meeting.
Similarrekindle, reawaken, renew, restore
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6
verbfigurativelytransitive
To put on a new production of a play, musical, or show.
The theater plans to revive a classic musical next spring.
They decided to revive the old comedy for a new audience.
Similarrestage, remount
Oppositecancel
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7
verbintransitive
To get back health and strength again, especially after nearly dying.
Like a thirsty plant standing up straight again after you water it.
After some water and shade, the wilting plant began to revive.
The patient slowly revived over the following days.
Similarrecover, rally, recuperate
Oppositedeteriorate
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8
verbintransitive
To wake up again after fainting or passing out.
Most people revive quickly once they lie down and rest.
She fainted at the ceremony but revived in the cool air.
Similarrecover
Oppositefaint
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9
verbfigurativelyintransitive
To become strong, active, or popular again after a time of decline.
The town's economy began to revive after the new factory opened.
Interest in the sport revived during the championship.
Similarrecover, rally, rebound, flourish
Oppositedecline
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10
verbintransitive
To come back to life after being dead.
In the legend, the fallen warrior revived three days later.
The villagers believed the saint would revive after burial.
Similarreanimate
Oppositedie
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11
verbfigurativelyintransitive
To come back or grow strong again, as a feeling or mood does.
Like a fire that flares up again when you add more wood.
Old hopes can revive when good news arrives.
Her interest in painting slowly revived after the trip.
Similarreturn, resurface, reawaken
Oppositefade, subside
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12
verbfigurativelytransitive
To make something faded or unclear become fresh and clear again.
Like wiping dust off a window so you can see clearly again.
A good night's sleep can revive your memory of the lesson.
The teacher revived the old story to make it clear again.
Similarrestore, refresh, renew, boost
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13
verbfigurativelyintransitive
When a play, show, or film is staged or made again as a new production.
Like an old song that becomes popular all over again.
The old musical revived on Broadway last spring.
Classic shows often revive when audiences feel nostalgic.
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14
verbfigurativelyhistoricaltransitive
To make a law or legal rule work again by putting it back into force.
Lawmakers voted to revive the old tax rule.
[S]uche Lawes made by hym, as kyng Henry the ſixt, had cauſed to be abrogated and adnichilated, he again reuiued and renouated.
a. 1548 (date written), Edward Hall, Richard GraftonHere, reuiued means brought back into force, so the laws applied again.
Similarreenact, reinstate, revalidate, renew, restore
Oppositerepeal
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15
verbrarefigurativelyhistoricalintransitive
When a law or rule is made to work again after it stopped.
The old statute revived once the newer law was struck down.
Some rules revive automatically when a temporary ban ends.
Oppositelapse
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16
verbfigurativelyhistoricaltransitive
To return a metal in a mixture back to its pure form.
Old alchemists tried to revive mercury from its ore.
The smith revived the metal from the compound by heating it.
Similarreduce
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17
verbobsoletefigurativelyintransitive
When a metal in a mixture goes back to its pure form on its own.
In the old experiment, the mercury revived as the ore was heated.
Heated long enough, certain metals revive from their compounds.
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18
verbobsoletefigurativelytransitive
To bring someone back to good health and strength.
Like a wilted plant standing tall again after you water it.
The warm broth revived the weary traveler.
What helpes reuiue, / the thriuing, to thriue. / Plough fence and ſtore, / aught elſe before.
1580, Thomas Tusser, “Septembers Abstract”Here, reuiue means restore strength, helping things grow strong again.
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19
verbobsoletefigurativelytransitive
To hold an election over again.
The officials decided to revive the disputed election.
The town revived its election after ballots went missing.
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20
nounobsolete
A bringing back to life or use, or the state of being brought back.
Like spring bringing plants back to life after winter.
The town saw a sudden revive of its old festival.
He prayed for a revive of the church's former spirit.
Similarrevival
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Practice

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Origin

This word came into English from old French words meaning "to return to life," which came from Latin revīvō "to live again." That Latin word is made of re- "again" plus vīvō "to live." The noun comes from the verb.