invigorate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Usage
What does invigorate mean? To invigorate is to fill with energy or a feeling of vitality, renewal, or refreshment. Invigorate is especially used in the context of things that make people feel “alive” or renewed or refreshed physically, mentally, and emotionally. Such a state or feeling can be called vigor, which is at the root of invigorate. A close synonym is vitality. In other words, to invigorate is to fill with vigor. Someone who feels this way can be described with the adjective invigorated, as in I feel really invigorated after that long, restful weekend. Something that invigorates can be described with the adjective invigorating, as in I love an invigorating swim in the ocean. Sometimes, invigorate is applied to things other than people to mean something like stimulate or boost, as in These measures are meant to invigorate the economy. Example: Being out in the sunshine invigorates me and makes me feel alive.
Related Words
See animate.
Other Word Forms
- invigorating adjective
- invigoratingly adverb
- invigoration noun
- invigorative adjective
- invigoratively adverb
- invigorator noun
- reinvigorate verb (used with object)
- reinvigoration noun
- uninvigorated adjective
- uninvigorative adjective
- uninvigoratively adverb
Etymology
Origin of invigorate
First recorded in 1640–50; in- 2 + obsolete vigorate “invigorated”; see vigor, -ate 1
Explanation
Invigorate means to give strength or energy to something or someone. If you're the new cheerleading coach, you can invigorate the team by bringing them your exciting new cheers, and the team’s growing popularity will invigorate them even more. When you invigorate someone, you inspire, you breathe life into them. One of the best ways to invigorate another person is with your own enthusiasm — when you're animated and energetic, it seems to rub off on others. You might need to invigorate yourself when you first wake up in the morning, with a cup of coffee or a shower to get you going for the day. The word invigorate comes from the Latin in, "toward" and vigorare "make strong."
Vocabulary lists containing invigorate
Fahrenheit 451
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George Washington's Farewell Address (1796)
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The Princess Bride
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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.
Both said they believe lifting the financial burdens associated with a degree could help to invigorate the field.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
“Diplomatically, I would seize on this and try to revive and invigorate regional cooperation,” said Mr. Rabinovich, the former Israeli ambassador.
From New York Times • Apr. 15, 2024
Manchin said he will seek to invigorate centrists who feel left out of the political system and he will consider running if no one emerges to represent their interests in the presidential campaign.
From Washington Times • Nov. 26, 2023
The spokesperson also said that Biden did use his emergency authorities to address climate change by invoking the Defense Production Act to invigorate domestic clean energy manufacturing.
From Salon • Nov. 10, 2023
Tio Fello dragged her off right after Christmas because he found her very thin and sad and thought the mountain air would invigorate her.
From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
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.
