upcycle

[ uhp-sahy-kuhl ]

/ ˈʌpˌsaɪ kəl /

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verb (used with object), up·cy·cled, up·cy·cling.

to process (used goods or waste material) so as to produce something that is often better than the original: I upcycled a stained tablecloth into curtains.Compare downcycle (def. 2).

verb (used without object), up·cy·cled, up·cy·cling.

to process goods or material so as to produce something that is often better than the original: Several new companies whose purpose is to upcycle have sprung up recently.

noun

Economics. a period or cycle during which business activity or profitability is at a high point: The whole industry has entered an upcycle.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of upcycle

First recorded in 1990–95; up + (re)cycle

OTHER WORDS FROM upcycle

up·cy·cler, noun