re

[ rey ]

See synonyms for re on Thesaurus.com

nounMusic.

the syllable used for the second tone of a diatonic scale.
(in the fixed system of solmization) the tone D.: Compare sol-fa (def. 1).

Origin of re

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at gamut

Other definitions for re (2 of 10)

re²

[ ree, rey ]

prepositionChiefly Law and Commerce.

in the case of; with reference to; in re.

Origin of re

1700–10; <Latin rē (in the) matter, affair, thing (ablative of rēs)

Other definitions for 're (3 of 10)

're

[ er ]

contraction of are: They're leaving.

usage note For 're

See contraction.

Other definitions for Re (4 of 10)

[ rey ]

nounEgyptian Religion.

Other definitions for Re (5 of 10)

Symbol, Chemistry.

rhenium.

Other definitions for re- (6 of 10)

re-

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-

Also red-.

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

r.e.

abbreviationFootball.

right end.

Other definitions for Re. (8 of 10)

Re.

abbreviation

rupee.

Other definitions for R/E (9 of 10)

R/E

real estate.

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

R.E.

abbreviation

real estate.
Reformed Episcopal.

Right Excellent.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use re in a sentence

The odds of getting re-arrested are a lot slimmer if a person has a job.
His First Day Out Of Jail After 40 Years: Adjusting To Life Outside | Justin Rohrlich | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
Many hold classes in their living rooms, asking students to help re-arrange and then later put back furniture.
Iran’s Becoming a Footloose Nation as Dance Lessons Spread | IranWire | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
He won re-election twice as governor of New York, and had the hubris to run for a fourth term before being defeated in 1994.
Mario Cuomo, a Frustrating Hero to Democrats, Is Dead at 82 | Eleanor Clift | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
They would have to get court approval to re-home their children.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking | Tina Traster | December 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Now Wisconsin is considering making it mandatory for parents who adopt overseas to have their children “re-adopted” in the state.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking | Tina Traster | December 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

Some were even re-arrested for the same nefarious purpose, and the daily papers published their names on each occasion.
The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
But first he held a whispered colloquy with the Princess, whom he entreated, or persuaded, to re-enter her gorgeous vehicle.
The Red Year | Louis Tracy
They are still comparatively supple, and any misplaced pinnæ may be re-arranged without any difficulty.
How to Know the Ferns | S. Leonard Bastin
A ray of Consciousness is passed over that impression and you re-read it, you re-awaken the record.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
In the next two days he re-wrote the twenty thousand, and on the fifth day he tore it into shreds and threw it to the winds.
The Homesteader | Oscar Micheaux

British Dictionary definitions for re (1 of 9)

re¹

/ (reɪ, riː) /

noun

music a variant spelling of ray 3

British Dictionary definitions for re (2 of 9)

re²

/ (riː) /

preposition

with reference to

Origin of re

C18: from Latin rē, 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

Reunion Island

British Dictionary definitions for 're (4 of 9)

're

contraction of

are: we're; you're; they're

British Dictionary definitions for Re (5 of 9)

Re¹

/ (reɪ) /

noun

another name for Ra 2

British Dictionary definitions for Re (6 of 9)

Re²

the chemical symbol for

rhenium

British Dictionary definitions for Re (7 of 9)

Re³

symbol for

rupee

British Dictionary definitions for RE (8 of 9)

abbreviation for

Reformed Episcopal
Religious Education

Right Excellent
Royal Engineers

British Dictionary definitions for re- (9 of 9)

re-

prefix

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

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