re

1
[ rey ]
See synonyms for re on Thesaurus.com
nounMusic.
  1. the syllable used for the second tone of a diatonic scale.

  2. (in the fixed system of solmization) the tone D.: Compare sol-fa (def. 1).

Origin of re

1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; see origin at gamut

Other definitions for re (2 of 10)

re2
[ ree, rey ]

prepositionChiefly Law and Commerce.
  1. in the case of; with reference to; in re.

Origin of re

2
First recorded in 1700–10; from Latin “(in the) matter, affair, thing,” ablative of rēs

Other definitions for 're (3 of 10)

're
[ er ]

  1. contraction of are: They're leaving.

usage note For 're

Other definitions for Re (4 of 10)

Re
[ rey ]

nounEgyptian Religion.
  1. Ra.

Other definitions for Re (5 of 10)

Re

Symbol, Chemistry.
  1. rhenium.

Other definitions for re- (6 of 10)

re-

  1. a prefix, occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, used with the meaning “again” or “again and again” to indicate repetition, or with the meaning “back” or “backward” to indicate withdrawal or backward motion: regenerate; refurbish; retype; retrace; revert.

Origin of re-

6
Middle English <Latin re-, red-

Other definitions for r.e. (7 of 10)

r.e.

abbreviationFootball.
  1. right end.

Other definitions for Re. (8 of 10)

Re.

abbreviation
  1. rupee.

Other definitions for R/E (9 of 10)

R/E

  1. real estate.

Other definitions for R.E. (10 of 10)

R.E.

abbreviation
  1. real estate.

  2. Reformed Episcopal.

  1. Right Excellent.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use re in a sentence

  • He had meant to begin at the beginning and keep on till he got to a w-r-e-c-k,—at Number Seven they spelled it that way.

    The Very Small Person | Annie Hamilton Donnell

British Dictionary definitions for re (1 of 9)

re1

/ (reɪ, riː) /


noun
  1. music a variant spelling of ray 3

British Dictionary definitions for re (2 of 9)

re2

/ (riː) /


preposition
  1. with reference to

Origin of re

2
C18: from Latin , ablative case of rēs thing

usage For re

Re, in contexts such as re your letter, your remarks have been noted or he spoke to me re your complaint, is common in business or official correspondence. In general English with reference to is preferable in the former case and about or concerning in the latter. Even in business correspondence, the use of re is often restricted to the letter heading

British Dictionary definitions for re (3 of 9)

re3

the internet domain name for
  1. Reunion Island

British Dictionary definitions for 're (4 of 9)

're

contraction of
  1. are: we're; you're; they're

British Dictionary definitions for Re (5 of 9)

Re1

/ (reɪ) /


noun
  1. another name for Ra 2

British Dictionary definitions for Re (6 of 9)

Re2

the chemical symbol for
  1. rhenium

British Dictionary definitions for Re (7 of 9)

Re3

symbol for
  1. rupee

British Dictionary definitions for RE (8 of 9)

RE

abbreviation for
  1. Reformed Episcopal

  2. Religious Education

  1. Right Excellent

  2. Royal Engineers

British Dictionary definitions for re- (9 of 9)

re-

prefix
  1. indicating return to a previous condition, restoration, withdrawal, etc: rebuild; renew; retrace; reunite

  2. indicating repetition of an action: recopy; remarry

Origin of re-

9
from Latin

usage For re-

Verbs beginning with re- indicate repetition or restoration. It is unnecessary to add an adverb such as back or again : This must not occur again (not recur again); we recounted the votes (not recounted the votes again, which implies that the votes were counted three times, not twice)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for Re

Re

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.