renovate

[ren-uh-veyt]

verb (used with object)

renovated, renovating 

1. to restore to good condition; make new or as if new again; repair.

2. Archaic.,  to reinvigorate; refresh; revive.

adjective

1. Archaic.,  renovated.

renovate

/ ˈrɛnəˌveɪt /

verb

1. to restore (something) to good condition

   to renovate paintings

2. to revive or refresh (one's spirits, health, etc)

Other Word Forms

• renovatable adjective
• renovatingly adverb
• renovation noun
• renovative adjective
• renovator noun
• unrenovated adjective
• unrenovative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of renovate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English (adjective), from Latin renovātus (past participle of renovāre ), equivalent to re- re- + novus new + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of renovate¹

C16: from Latin renovāre , from _re- + novāre to make new, from novus _new

Synonym Study

See renew.

Example Sentences

Every artist is expected to either shake off or renovate convention.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She contributed to the school fees and took over the mortgage, intending to help the family renovate and sell their home.

Read more on BBC

The 22 suppliers will provide steel, resin, parts and components for GE Appliances to make washers and combination washer-and-dryer machines at a renovated factory in Louisville, Ky.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Partnering with the brilliant and virtuoso Village Directors Circle to renovate the Village Theater is an exciting milestone for the American Cinematheque,” AC Chair Rick Nicita said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In Brooklyn, the architects are also known for renovating Powerhouse Arts, a former power station for suburban train lines, into a flexible exhibition and cultural event space.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• clean 
• overhaul 
• refit 
• refurbish 
• rehabilitate 
• remake 
• remodel 
• repair 
• restore 
• revamp 
• revitalize 
• revive 
• spruce up 
• update 

When To Use

What does renovate mean?

Renovate most commonly means to make improvements or changes to a structure, especially to the inside of a home or other kind of building.For example, a homeowner might renovate a room in their house by painting it and getting new flooring. This is often much more extensive: renovating a kitchen can involve getting new cabinets and appliances as well as new painting and new flooring, perhaps even a new layout.Some people renovate their homes themselves, while others hire a contractor to do it.The process of renovating is called renovation. The word renovation can also refer to such a project, as in This renovation is going way over budget. The word renovated can be used as an adjective to describe spaces that have been improved in this way, as in a newly renovated kitchen. More generally, renovate means to restore something to good condition—to repair or refurbish it. However, outside of the context of home improvement, the terms restore, refurbish, and repair are more often used.Renovate can also mean to reinvigorate, refresh, or revive, but this sense of the word isn’t commonly used either.Example: I’m planning to renovate the bathroom with new tile and a new vanity.