rejuvenate

verb

re·​ju·​ve·​nate ri-ˈjü-və-ˌnāt 

rejuvenated; rejuvenating

transitive verb

1

a

: to make young or youthful again : give new vigor to

b

: to restore to an original or new state

rejuvenate old cars

2

a

: to stimulate (a stream) to renewed erosive activity especially by uplift

b

: to develop youthful features of topography in

intransitive verb

: to cause or undergo rejuvenescence

rejuvenator

ri-ˈjü-və-ˌnā-tər 

noun

Did you know?

Rejuvenate originated as a combination of the prefix re-, which means "again," with the Latin parent of juvenile and junior—juvenis, meaning "young." Rejuvenate literally means "to make young again" and can imply a restoration of physical or mental strength or a return to a more youthful, healthy condition. Things that are timeworn can also be rejuvenated.

Did you know?

Juvenis, Latin for "young", can be seen in a word such as juvenile. Rejuvenation is something that can be carried out on a creaky old house, a clunker of a car, a sluggish career, a weak economy, or a company that's lost its edge, but rejuvenate and rejuvenation are probably used most often for talking about our physical selves. Ads for lotions promise skin rejuvenation; diet-book covers show rejuvenated (or maybe just young) models bursting with health. We still seem to be searching for that "Fuente de la Juventud" that Juan Ponce de León failed to discover five hundred years ago.

Synonyms

• freshen
• recharge
• recreate
• refresh
• refreshen
• regenerate
• renew
• repair
• restore
• resuscitate
• revitalize
• revive
• revivify

Choose the Right Synonym for rejuvenate

renew, restore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate mean to make like new.

renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Examples of rejuvenate in a Sentence

The spa treatment rejuvenated me.

Each candidate claims to have a plan to rejuvenate the sagging economy.

Her efforts to rejuvenate her career have so far been unsuccessful.

Recent Examples on the Web

Made with shea butter and other hydrating ingredients, these hand creams rejuvenate the hands with each use. —Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2024

After falling at Buffalo to stop their undefeated season, the Kansas City Chiefs take the road to play the — rejuvenated? —Scott Phillips, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024

As the youngest Democratic governor in the country, Moore could have the potential to rejuvenate the Democratic Party's electorate and attract Black voters lost to Trump in the 2024 election. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024

By Bill Prince published 7 November 2024 Everyone is rejuvenating these days. —Bill Prince, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

re- + Latin juvenis young — more at young

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

rejuvenate

verb

re·​ju·​ve·​nate ri-ˈjü-və-ˌnāt 

rejuvenated; rejuvenating

: to make young or youthful again : give new vigor to

rejuvenation

-ˌjü-və-ˈnā-shən 

noun

rejuvenator

-ˈjü-və-ˌnāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

rejuvenate

verb

re·​ju·​ve·​nate ri-ˈjü-və-ˌnāt 

rejuvenated; rejuvenating

transitive verb

: to make young or youthful again

specifically : to restore sexual vigor in (as by hormones or an operation)

intransitive verb

: to cause or undergo a renewal of youthfulness

rejuvenation

ri-ˌjü-və-ˈnā-shən, ˌrē- 

noun

rejuvenator

ri-ˈjü-və-ˌnāt-ər 

noun