revive
Americanverb (used with object)
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to activate, set in motion, or take up again; renew.
to revive old feuds.
- Synonyms:
- reactivate
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to restore to life or consciousness.
We revived him with artificial respiration.
- Synonyms:
- resuscitate, reanimate, revitalize
- Antonyms:
- kill
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to put on or show (an old play or motion picture) again.
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to make operative or valid again.
- Synonyms:
- reactivate
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to bring back into notice, use, or currency.
to revive a subject of discussion.
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to quicken or renew in the mind; bring back.
to revive memories.
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to reanimate or cheer (the spirit, heart, etc., or a person).
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Chemistry. to restore or reduce to the natural or uncombined state, as a metal.
verb (used without object)
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to return to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, or a flourishing condition.
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to recover from financial depression.
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to be quickened, restored, or renewed, as hope, confidence, suspicions, or memories.
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to return to notice, use, or currency, as a subject, practice, or doctrine.
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to become operative or valid again.
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Chemistry. to recover the natural or uncombined state, as a metal.
verb
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to bring or be brought back to life, consciousness, or strength; resuscitate or be resuscitated
revived by a drop of whisky
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to give or assume new vitality; flourish again or cause to flourish again
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to make or become operative or active again
the youth movement was revived
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to bring or come into use or currency again
to revive a language
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(tr) to take up again
he revived his old hobby
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to bring or come back to mind
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(tr) theatre to mount a new production of (an old play)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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revivablyadverb
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revivabilitynoun
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revivernoun
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revivinglyadverb
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revivableadjective
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revivingadjective
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unrevivedadjective
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unrevivableadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has revivedperfect 3rd person singular
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have revivedperfect
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has been revivingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been revivingperfect progressive
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is revivingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are revivingprogressive
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am revivingprogressive 1st person singular
-
revivingparticiple
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revivessingular 3rd person
Past
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had revivedperfect
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were revivingprogressive plural
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had been revivingperfect progressive
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was revivingprogressive singular
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revivedparticiple
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revivedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of revive
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English reviven, from Latin revīvere “to live again,” from re- re- + vīvere “to live” ( cf. vital)
Explanation
To revive something is to provide it with new energy or life, like when you revive a drooping plant by watering it, or when you revive a boring party by breaking out the karaoke machine. Revive comes from the Latin roots re-, meaning “again,” and vivere, meaning “to live.” So, the word revive means “live again.” While the possibility of bringing folks back from the dead isn’t something we’re qualified to comment on, we will note that revive can be used in a sense that’s very close to its literal meaning; specifically, revive can mean “cause someone to regain consciousness.”
Vocabulary lists containing revive
A Long Walk to Water
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ACT Vocabulary List
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Out of the Dust
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
CEO Philipp Navratil’s challenge is to revive sales, trim fat from a business that has strayed beyond its core brands, and bring stability after years of turmoil.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
To revive its market share amid fierce competition, Volkswagen has invested heavily in China and launched the tech-forward ID.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
The San Diego Police and Fire departments responded and attempted to revive the woman.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
Thursday’s move is the latest in a series of Trump administration actions that aim to revive the coal industry.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026
But, anyway, the past suspicion of me helped to revive suspicion of me again.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
