refit

refit — verb

1. to repair an old ship, building, or large machine and add new parts so that it w

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to repair an old ship, building, or large machine and add new parts so that it works well again

Example

The navy docked the battleship to refit it with modern radar systems.

refit + with + new equipment

After ten years of service, the hotel was completely refitted with new plumbing and wiring.

passive: be refitted with [new parts]

Common collocations
  • refit with
  • refit for
  • refit at
  • completely refitted
  • refit a ship
  • refit a building
  • refit a factory
  • refit a plant
Synonyms
  • overhaul

    stronger emphasis on taking apart and examining every part; B2

  • renovate

    limited to buildings and interiors; B2

  • retrofit

    focuses on adding modern technology to an existing structure; C1

Antonyms
  • neglect

    to fail to maintain something over time; B2

  • demolish

    to completely tear down rather than repair; B2

Grammar Patterns

refit + object (ship / building / machine)

be refitted with + noun phrase

refit for + purpose

refit at + location

Usage Note

Commonly used in passive voice. The subject is typically a large vessel, building, or industrial machine — not a small personal item.

Common Mistakes

We refitted our broken washing machine.
We repaired our broken washing machine.
refit is used for ships, buildings, and industrial equipment, not for household appliances.

refit — noun

Word family

  • refitting
    nounC1
  • refitted
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Overhaul suggests taking a machine or system apart completely to examine and fix every part, with a strong focus on mechanical reliability. Renovate is limited to buildings and interiors and often carries the idea of making something look new again. Retrofit specifically means adding modern parts or technology to an older system — for example, putting solar panels on a 1970s building. Refurbish overlaps with renovate but leans toward restoring the appearance and finish of furniture or interiors rather than structural work. Refit is broader: it can refer to ships, buildings, or industrial machinery and includes both repair and the addition of new equipment. A ship can be refitted with new engines (mechanical), new cabins (interior), or new navigation systems (technology) — other verbs tend to cover only one of these aspects.

overhaulrenovate ↗retrofitrefurbish

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • undergo a refit
  • need a refit
  • close for a refit

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed from the prefix re- (meaning 'again') attached to the verb 'fit' (to make suitable or ready). The word first appeared in English in the late 1700s and was originally used almost exclusively for ships that were taken out of service for repairs and new equipment.