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.

Until the 1990s, that is, when relentless tabloid coverage reinvented him as New York City’s Adonis.

From Salon

“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

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Are you reinventing yourself and finding new people to date along the way?

From Los Angeles Times

"If we are to thrive, not just endure, we must reinvent our journalism and our business model with renewed ambition."

From BBC

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