Redeem Meaning
/ɹɪˈdiːm/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo recover ownership of something by buying it back.
verbTo liberate by payment of a ransom.
Sentence Examples
His eyes redeem his face from sternness.
The only thing that will redeem mankind is co-operation.
He could not redeem himself after his huge mistake.
CEFR Practice Quiz
He tried to ____ his reputation by apologizing and making amends.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She hoped to ____ herself in the eyes of her colleagues by delivering an outstanding presentation.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English redemen, modified from Old French redimer, from Latin redimō (“release; obviate; atone for”), itself from red- (“back; again”) + emō (“buy; gain, take, procure”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Your Highneſſe needs not doubt but in ſhort time,
He will with Tamburlaines deſtruction
Redeeme you from this deadly ſeruitude."
— c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act III, scene ii:
"Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments ..."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Exodus 6:6:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
He tried to ____ his reputation by apologizing and making amends.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She hoped to ____ herself in the eyes of her colleagues by delivering an outstanding presentation.