redo

redo — verb

1. to perform a task or produce a piece of work once more, typically because the fi

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to perform a task or produce a piece of work once more, typically because the first version contained errors or needs improvement

Example

Sari decided to redo her homework after the teacher pointed out several mistakes.

redo + homework / essay / project

The architect asked the team to redo the blueprints when the measurements did not match.

Common collocations
  • redo homework
  • redo the essay
  • redo a test
  • redo the calculation
  • redo a drawing
Synonyms
  • repeat

    Simply means do a second time; does not imply correcting errors

  • remake

    Create a new version of something, especially creative works like films or songs

  • rework

    Make significant changes to improve, while keeping the original structure

Antonyms
  • keep

    Leave as it is instead of changing

  • leave

    Not alter or reattempt

Grammar Patterns

redo + noun phrase (task / work / project)

Usage Note

Most natural with written work, creative projects, or data tasks. For physical actions (e.g. a jump or a throw), 'try again' or 'do over' are more natural alternatives.

Common Mistakes

I had to redo again my homework because it was wrong.
I had to redo my homework because it was wrong.
The 're-' prefix already means 'again', so using 'redo' with 'again' is redundant.

2. to change the appearance of a room or building by painting walls, adding new fur

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to change the appearance of a room or building by painting walls, adding new furniture, or making other improvements

Example

The Nguyen family hired a designer to redo their kitchen with new cabinets and counters.

redo + kitchen / bathroom / living room

Emre and Yasmin chose warm colours to redo the living room and bought a sofa.

Common collocations
  • redo the kitchen
  • redo the bathroom
  • redo a room
  • redo the interior
Synonyms
  • renovate

    More formal, often implies structural repairs

  • refurbish

    Focus on cleaning and refreshing existing items

  • remodel

    Change the layout or structure of a space

Antonyms
  • neglect

    Fail to maintain or improve a space

Grammar Patterns

redo + room / building

Usage Note

Subject is usually a room in a house (kitchen, bathroom, living room) or occasionally a commercial space. Carries a lighter implication than 'renovate' — cosmetic updates rather than structural changes.

Common Mistakes

We redo our kitchen last month.
We redid our kitchen last month.
The past tense of 'redo' is 'redid', not 'redo'.

redo — noun

Word family

  • redoing
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Redo' means to perform a task from the start again, usually because the first version had problems. 'Repeat' simply means to do something a second time without necessarily improving it — you repeat a chant or repeat an exercise. 'Remake' is reserved for creative or manufactured products (a film, a song, a product) and implies creating a fresh version of the whole thing. 'Rework' means to revise and improve while keeping the original foundation — a writer reworks a draft rather than discarding it entirely. For example, students redo a failed exam, but rework an essay based on feedback.

repeat ↗remakerework

Etymology

LatinOld EnglishEnglish

Formed by adding the prefix 're-' (meaning 'again', from Latin) to the verb 'do' (from Old English 'dōn', meaning to perform or act). The word first appeared in English around the late 1400s. The sense of redecorating a room developed in the mid-1900s.