Renew Meaning
/ɹɪˈnjuː/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo make (something) new again; to restore to freshness or original condition.
verbTo replace (something which has broken etc.); to replenish (something which has been exhausted), to keep up a required supply of.
Sentence Examples
I must renew my passport.
He asked me to renew the bond.
Tom wasn't sure they would renew his visa.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
I need to ____ my passport before the trip next month because it expires.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She decided to ____ her gym membership for another year after noticing the improvements in her fitness.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English renewen, an alteration (possibly on analogy with Latin renovāre) of earlier anewen (“to renew”), from Old English nīewian (“to restore; renovate; renew”), equivalent to re- + new. Cognate with Old High German giniuwōn (“to renew”), Middle High German geniuwen (“to renew”), Old Norse nýja (“to renew”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"In such a night
Medea gather’d the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Æson."
— c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
"And fassion not youre selves lyke vnto this worlde: But be ye chaunged in youre shape by the renuynge of youre wittes that ye maye fele what thynge that good yt acceptable and perfaycte will of god is."
— 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Romans xij:[2]:
"For which cause we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Corinthians 4:16:
"But Christianity was a new religious force in Augustine's day. Today, as you say, its power to integrate culture has all but disappeared. Does Christianity still have the capacity to renew?"
— 1997 July, “Seeking Christian interiority: An interview with Louis Dupre”, in Christian Century, volume 114, number 21, page 654:
"Then gan he all this storie to renew,
And tell the course of his captivitie […]"
— 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
I need to ____ my passport before the trip next month because it expires.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She decided to ____ her gym membership for another year after noticing the improvements in her fitness.