reconnect

reconnect — verb

1. to attach or link a cable, device, or piece of equipment to something again afte

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to attach or link a cable, device, or piece of equipment to something again after it was taken apart or disconnected.

Example

Evelyn reconnected the charger to her laptop after the power came back on.

reconnect + to [device]

The Wi-Fi signal kept dropping, so Trang reconnected to the network every few minutes.

intransitive: reconnect to [network]

Common collocations
  • reconnect the cable
  • reconnect the wires
  • reconnect the device
  • reconnect to the network
  • reconnect the power supply
Synonyms
  • rejoin

    more formal and less common, often used for physical parts or paths

  • reattach

    specifically about fastening one object back to another

  • relink

    common in computing for chains or sequences of data

Antonyms
  • disconnect

    the direct opposite — to remove a connection

Grammar Patterns

reconnect + object (cable, device, wire)

reconnect + to + network/place

intransitive: something reconnects

Usage Note

Often used with cables, wires, and electronic devices. Can be transitive (someone reconnects a thing) or intransitive (a device reconnects on its own).

Common Mistakes

I reconnected the phone by holding the power button.
I reconnected the phone to the charger by plugging in the cable.
In this sense, 'reconnect' means physically attaching something, not turning it back on.

2. to contact or spend time with someone again after not seeing or speaking to them

2.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to contact or spend time with someone again after not seeing or speaking to them for a long time, in order to rebuild the friendship or close bond.

Example

Nala reconnected with her cousin in Singapore through weekly video calls after years without contact.

reconnect with [person]

Vivek decided to reconnect with his college friends and arranged a dinner for the group.

Common collocations
  • reconnect with a friend
  • reconnect with family
  • reconnect with old colleagues
  • reconnect over coffee
  • reconnect after years apart
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

reconnect + with + person/group

reconnect + over + activity

Usage Note

Subject is always a person or group of people. Most commonly followed by 'with' + a person, family member, or group. The noun form 'reconnection' is less common.

Common Mistakes

They reconnected the meeting after the break.
They reconnected with their former neighbours after a long time.
For this sense, 'reconnect' is about people restoring relationships, not restarting events.

3. to feel a connection again with a familiar emotion, memory, or quality after a p

3.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to feel a connection again with a familiar emotion, memory, or quality after a period when it seemed distant or forgotten.

Example

During her trip to Japan, Élise reconnected with the culture she loved as a child.

reconnect with [abstract noun]

Through daily yoga practice, Greta reconnected with a sense of calm she had lost.

Common collocations
  • reconnect with nature
  • reconnect with one's feelings
  • reconnect with the past
  • reconnect with a passion
  • reconnect with one's roots
Synonyms
  • rediscover

    suggests finding something again, often with a sense of surprise or delight

  • re-engage with

    more formal, implies actively participating again

  • return to

    simpler and more general, can be used for both places and abstract things

Antonyms
  • lose

    to stop having a feeling, quality, or connection

Grammar Patterns

reconnect + with + abstract noun (nature, culture, passion)

reconnect + to + feeling/quality

Usage Note

Subject is usually a person and the object is introduced by 'with'. Common abstract objects include 'nature', 'culture', 'memories', 'feelings', 'passion', and 'roots'. Cannot be used with a concrete direct object like a cable or device.

Common Mistakes

The workshop helped me reconnect to play music again.
The workshop helped me reconnect with my love of playing music.
'Reconnect' in this sense is followed by 'with' + a noun (a feeling or quality), not an infinitive verb.

Word family

  • reconnection
    nounB2
  • reconnective
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

'Reconnect' is the broadest and most natural term for restoring a relationship after a period of separation — it fits old friends, family, or colleagues. 'Get back in touch' is more informal and suggests lighter contact, such as exchanging a quick message on social media, without the emotional depth that 'reconnect' often carries. 'Reunite' implies a stronger, more emotional meeting, usually in person and after a longer or more significant separation — for example, 'The family reunited after twenty years apart.' 'Reestablish contact' is formal and neutral, best suited for professional or diplomatic contexts. In everyday conversation, 'reconnect with' works for most situations. Use 'get back in touch' for casual outreach, 'reunite' for emotional meetings, and 'reestablish contact' for official or business relationships.

reconnect ↗get back in touchreunite ↗reestablish contact

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • reconnect after a long time
  • reconnect over coffee
  • chance to reconnect

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Reconnect' is formed by adding the Latin prefix 're-' (meaning again) to the verb 'connect'. 'Connect' comes from Latin 'connectere', which is a combination of 'com-' (together) and 'nectere' (to bind or tie). So 'reconnect' literally means 'to bind together again'. The word entered English in the 1600s and became much more common in the 20th century with the rise of telephones, internet connections, and the idea of restoring personal relationships.