Standard Lemma guide

refit

noun · verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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/ˈɹiːfɪt/
Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -iːfɪt
/ɹiːˈfɪt/
rhymes with -ɪt
CMU ARPABET: R IY0 F IH1 T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

noun

Meaning 1

The process of having something fitted again, repaired or restored.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

The ship required a refit before setting out again.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

verb

Meaning 2

To fit again; to put back into its place.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

1677, Philip Meadows, A Narrative of the Principal Actions Occurring in the Wars Betwixt Sueden and Denmark, London: A.C. and H. Brome, pp. 122-123, The truth is they made no great scruple, at least for that one time, to come under the Stern of their Neighbouring Common-wealth, thereby to have better leisure to recollect and refit the scattered planks and pieces of their own broken Republic.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

verb

Meaning 3

To prepare for use again; to repair or restore.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

to refit a garment; to refit ships of war

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

verb

Meaning 4

To fit out or supply again (with something).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

1697, John Dryden (translator), Virgil’s Aeneis, Book 1, lines 776-777, in The Works of Virgil, London: Jacob Tonson, p. 224, Permit our Ships a Shelter on your Shoars, Refitted from your Woods with Planks and Oars;

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

verb

Meaning 5

To prepare a vessel for use again (e.g. by replenishing depleted supplies or doing maintenance or repair work); (of a vessel) to be prepared for use again.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Topics: nautical, transport

Examples

1669, uncredited translator, Memoires of Henry, D. of Guise, London: Henry Herringman, Book 5, p. 499, [...] I discovered two Gallies making towards Nicita, whom I saluted with two Cannons, which I levelled and fired my self, so happily, that one of them being shot through between wind and water, was fain to go off to refit, and the other had three or four slaves killed.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

noun

Meaning 6

outfitting a ship again (by repairing or replacing parts)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: outfitting

verb

Meaning 7

fit out again

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: equip, fit, fit out, outfit

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Italic *wre- Latin re-der. Old French re-bor. Middle English re- English re- English fit English refit From re- + fit.

Word forms

Inflections and variants

refits — plural
refits — present, singular, third-person
refitting — participle, present
refitted — participle, past
refitted — past
refit — participle, past
refit — past
refitted — verb exception form
refitting — verb exception form

Word family

Derived and related words

Derived: refitment, refittable, refitter, refitting, unrefitted

Related: retrofit

Semantic map

Other relationships

Hypernyms: outfitting, equip, fit, fit out, outfit

Sources

Where this information comes from

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Real reading context

Examples

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refit in complete knowledge articles