reinvent

American

[ree-in-vent] / ˌri ɪnˈvɛnt /

verb (used with object)

to invent again or anew, especially without knowing that the invention already exists.
to remake or make over, as in a different form.

At 60, he reinvented himself as a volunteer. We have an opportunity to reinvent government.
to bring back; revive.

to reinvent trust and accountability.

reinvent British

/ ˌriːɪnˈvɛnt /

verb

to replace (a product, etc) with an entirely new version
to duplicate (something that already exists) in what is therefore a wasted effort (esp in the phrase reinvent the wheel )

"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

Other Word Forms

reinvention noun

Etymology

Origin of reinvent

First recorded in 1685–90; re- + invent

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.

“We believe some of the AI fears are overstated with value ultimately accruing to software, though incumbents must remain nimble and reinvent themselves with the latest AI,” the analyst wrote.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

Artificial intelligence promises to reinvent entire industries and make many jobs obsolete.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Everyone gets fed, and no one has to reinvent dinner from scratch.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026

That is not to say the 41-year-old lacks innovation or the ability to nullify opponents, but his similarities to predecessor Enzo Maresca mean he does not need to reinvent the wheel.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

And those shared assumptions are usually pretty conservative: we don’t reinvent the world from scratch every time we float a theory.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023