reimagine

American  

[ree-i-maj-in] / ˌri ɪˈmædʒ ɪn /

verb (used with object)

1. to think about or consider in a new and creative way: Each of the forty short stories reimagines a moment from the original film, but through the eyes of a supporting character.

   For decades, Walt Disney would strive to reimagine the typical amusement park as a theme park, an idealized salute to America's past and a nod to an experimental vision for its future.

   Each of the forty short stories reimagines a moment from the original film, but through the eyes of a supporting character.

2. to create or imagine a new lifestyle or identity for (oneself).

   It was a song written to help him transform and reimagine himself in the aftermath of his parent's divorce.

---

Etymology

Origin of reimagine

First recorded in 1825–30; re- ( def. ) + imagine ( def. )

Explanation

To reimagine is to have a new idea about something familiar. If you've always thought one way about what something means, what it's worth, or how it could be made — but now you see it differently — you've begun to reimagine it. Perhaps you can't imagine your piano lessons ever being worth your time. But if you go to a concert and listen to your favorite pop artist jamming on the keyboard, you might reimagine their value! A young child might make up a silly story about a rhinoceros who wants to be a mouse. As an adult writer, that former child may reimagine the story into a fable about how a rhinoceros learns to understand his own worth rather than longing to be different.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reimagine

"Disney spent $250 million to reimagine the oceanic-set movie, so 'Moana' will struggle to swim to profitability in its theatrical run," commented Variety.

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026

When New York design firm Studio Sofield was hired to reimagine the building's interior, it had to address the problem of the building's previous life as an office space, co-founder William Sofield said.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

For instance, take this clip, in which the trio take on cholo characters and reimagine what it would be like to surf on the Southern California shore.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

“Set high above the Sunset Strip with sweeping panoramic views, this iconic estate presents a rare opportunity to reimagine and build something truly remarkable in one of Los Angeles’ most coveted enclaves.”

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 3, 2026

He closed his eyes and tried to reimagine this spacious room with the alien furniture, but he couldn’t.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie