Standard Lemma guide

reinvent

verb · 4 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ɹiːɪnˈvɛnt/
  • Canada, General-American: /ˌɹiɪnˈvɛnt/
  • California: /ˌɹiɪnˈvɛnt/
  • California: [ˌɹiɪnˈvænt]
  • Inland-Northern-American: /ˌɹiɪnˈvɛnt/
  • Inland-Northern-American: [ˌɹiɪnˈvɜnt]
  • Inland-Northern-American: [ˌɹiɪnˈvɐnt]
  • Inland-Northern-American: [ˌɹiɪnˈvænt]
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australian: /ɹiːɪnˈvent/
  • rhymes with -ɛnt
  • CMU ARPABET: R IY2 IH0 N V EH1 N T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To invent again something that has already been invented.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To adapt into a different form; to give a new style or image to.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • He had the ability to reinvent himself as needed.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

create anew and make over

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He reinvented African music for American listeners

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: recreate

4

verb

Meaning 4

bring back into existence

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The candidate reinvented the concept of national health care so that he would get elected

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: create

History

Etymology

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

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: преоткривам (preotkrivam) — to invent again something that has already been invented
  • Dutch: heruitvinden — to invent again something that has already been invented
  • German: wiedererfinden — to invent again something that has already been invented
  • German: neu erfinden — to invent again something that has already been invented
  • Portuguese: reinventar — to invent again something that has already been invented
  • Russian: изобрета́ть велосипе́д (izobretátʹ velosipéd) — to invent again something that has already been invented
  • Spanish: reinventar — to invent again something that has already been invented
  • Swedish: återuppfinna — to invent again something that has already been invented