renew
rih-NYOO
Renew (verb) means to extend the length of something, such as a subscription, loan, or licence. Example: “She renewed her passport before it expired.”
verb
1
To extend the length of something, such as a subscription, loan, or licence.
"She renewed her passport before it expired."
"You can renew a library book online."
"We need to renew our gym membership before it runs out this weekend."
2
To make something feel fresh, restored, or reinvigorated again.
"The holiday renewed his energy for work."
"A quiet walk by the sea always renews my sense of calm."
"The fresh paint and new curtains renewed the tired old kitchen."
How to use renew
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo extend something so it stays valid, or to make it feel new and fresh again.
Common pairings
renew a licence
renew a subscription
renew one's vows
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like renew.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- renews
- Third person singular
- renews
- Past tense
- renewed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ her passport before it expired.
Etymology
From Middle English renewen, reshaped from earlier anewen, ultimately from Old English niewian, "to restore."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “renew” mean?
The word “renew” means to extend the length of something, such as a subscription, loan, or licence. In plain terms, to extend something so it stays valid, or to make it feel new and fresh again.
How do you pronounce “renew”?
“Renew” is pronounced rih-NYOO (/ɹɪˈnu/ in IPA).
How do you use “renew” in a sentence?
Here is “renew” used in a sentence: “She renewed her passport before it expired.”
What part of speech is “renew”?
“Renew” is a verb.
Where does the word “renew” come from?
The word “renew” comes from Old English. From Middle English renewen, reshaped from earlier anewen, ultimately from Old English niewian, "to restore.".
Is “renew” a common word?
“Renew” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “renew” have?
“Renew” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to extend the length of something, such as a subscription, loan, or licence.
What is the difference between "renew" and "replace"?
"Renew" means to extend the length of something, such as a subscription, loan, or licence, so it continues without being exchanged for something new. "Replace" means to remove something entirely and substitute it with a different item, which is a distinct action from extending an existing one.
What does it mean to "renew" your energy or spirit?
To renew your energy or spirit means to make it feel fresh, restored, or reinvigorated again, often after a period of tiredness or depletion. This is a figurative use of "renew" distinct from extending a formal agreement.
What common things can you renew?
Common things people renew include subscriptions, driving licences, passports, leases, and loans, all of which involve extending their length or validity. You can also renew more abstract things like commitment, hope, or friendship in a figurative sense.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include renew:
