renew
Americanverb (used with object)
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to begin or take up again, as an acquaintance, a conversation, etc.; resume.
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to make effective for an additional period.
to renew a lease.
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to restore or replenish.
to renew a stock of goods.
- Synonyms:
- restock
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to make, say, or do again.
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to revive; reestablish.
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to recover (youth, strength, etc.).
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to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again.
- Synonyms:
- mend, reinstate, regenerate, rejuvenate, re-create
verb (used without object)
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to begin again; recommence.
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to renew a lease, note, etc.
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to be restored to a former state; become new or as if new again.
verb
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to take up again
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(also intr) to begin (an activity) again; recommence
to renew an attempt
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to restate or reaffirm (a promise, etc)
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(also intr) to make (a lease, licence, or contract) valid or effective for a further period
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to extend the period of loan of (a library book)
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to regain or recover (vigour, strength, activity, etc)
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to restore to a new or fresh condition
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to replace (an old or worn-out part or piece)
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to replenish (a supply, etc)
Synonym Usage
Renew, renovate, repair, restore suggest making something the way it formerly was. To renew means to bring back to an original condition of freshness and vigor: to renew one's enthusiasm. Renovate means to do over or make good any dilapidation of something: to renovate an old house. To repair is to put into good or sound condition; to make good any injury, damage, wear and tear, decay, etc.; to mend: to repair the roof of a house. To restore is to bring back to its former place or position something which has faded, disappeared, been lost, etc., or to reinstate a person in rank or position: to restore a king to his throne.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have renewedperfect
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has renewedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been renewingperfect progressive
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am renewingprogressive 1st person singular
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are renewingprogressive
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has been renewingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is renewingprogressive 3rd person singular
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renewssingular 3rd person
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renewingparticiple
Past
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had renewedperfect
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were renewingprogressive plural
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was renewingprogressive singular
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had been renewingperfect progressive
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renewedsimple
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renewedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of renew
First recorded in 1325–75, renew is from the Middle English word renewen. See re-, new
Explanation
If you make something like new, you renew it. When you catch up with an old friend you haven't seen in a long time, you renew your friendship. To renew is to make new again. If you get a new due date for your library books, you've renewed them. If you forget to renew them, your books will be overdue, and you may have to pay a fine. Renew also means to revive, restore, or cause to appear in a new form. Historically, all kinds of tonics have claimed to renew a person's health, but many of the early ones actually contained poisons that could kill you.
Vocabulary lists containing renew
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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.
All plans renew at higher rates after the initial 2 years, and the monthly-billed plan starts at $12.99.
From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026
I needed to renew my railcard - but it took almost the entire journey to actually get enough data to make the purchase.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement Thursday that Disney filed its applications to renew its broadcast licenses only after the company was told its previous answers were “disingenuous, deficient and improper.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026
CBS News didn’t renew correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi’s contract, which she said was a move to penalize her for refusing to sanitize reporting.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
He somehow learnt of my being here and started writing to me, suggesting we renew our acquaintance.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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.
