rework

American

[ree-wurk, ree-wurk] / riˈwɜrk, ˈriˌwɜrk /

verb (used with object)

reworked, rewrought, reworking

to work or form again.

to rework gold.
to revise or rewrite.

to rework an essay.
to process again or anew for reuse.

to rework wool.

noun

an act or instance of reworking.

His latest book is merely a rework of his earlier novel.

rework British

/ riːˈwɜːk /

verb

to use again in altered form

the theme has been reworked in countless well-known poems
to rewrite or revise
to reprocess for use again

"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

Etymology

Origin of rework

First recorded in 1835–45; re- + work

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.

I try to go early and can always find art or furniture to rework and give new life.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

To rework Karl Marx’s famous maxim, sometimes historical events can be tragedy and farce at the same time, and repeat themselves in the same register.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

“Our 737 program is performing rework on a group of airplanes to fix wires that have small scratches due to a machining error,” a Boeing spokesperson said.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Suppliers adjust pricing, retailers rework contracts, and lenders reassess credit risk.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026

I try to work and rework the problem in my brain—never write anything down—until Mr. Stoker collects the papers.

From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty

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