renovate

renovate — verb

1. to repair an old building, room, or piece of furniture, making it look newer and

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to repair an old building, room, or piece of furniture, making it look newer and function properly

Example

Theo spent the summer renovating his grandmother's cottage in the countryside.

spend + time + renovating [building]

The old factory was renovated into a modern art gallery with open spaces.

Common collocations
  • renovate a house
  • renovate a kitchen
  • renovate a building
  • renovate an apartment
  • renovate a church
  • renovate furniture
  • spend time renovating
  • hire someone to renovate
  • plan to renovate
  • need to renovate
  • completely renovate
  • fully renovate
  • extensively renovate
Synonyms
  • refurbish

    lighter in scale than renovate; focuses on cleaning, painting, and refreshing

  • restore

    aims to return something to its original condition, whereas renovate may include modern improvements

  • remodel

    changes the structure or layout of a space; renovate may keep the same layout

  • redecorate

    only changes the appearance through paint, wallpaper, or furniture; renovate includes structural repairs

Antonyms
  • neglect

    failing to maintain a building or object

  • damage

    to harm or worsen the condition of something

Grammar Patterns

renovate + noun phrase (building, room, furniture)

spend + time/period + renovating + noun phrase

Usage Note

Object is usually a building, a room inside a house, or a piece of furniture. Implies significant work, not just cleaning or small fixes.

Common Mistakes

She renovated her passport before the trip.
She renewed her passport before the trip.
renovate applies to physical spaces and objects, not documents or licenses.
He renovated the broken lamp by changing the bulb.
He repaired the broken lamp by changing the bulb.
renovate implies a major restoration, not a simple fix.

2. to give new strength, energy, or enthusiasm to someone or something that has gro

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to give new strength, energy, or enthusiasm to someone or something that has grown tired, weak, or inactive

Example

A long walk through the forest renovated Dario's mind after weeks of work.

figurative use: [activity] renovates [mental state]

The new director's fresh ideas renovated the company's tired brand image.

Common collocations
  • renovate one's spirit
  • renovate energy
  • renovate enthusiasm
  • renovate confidence
Synonyms
  • revive

    more common than renovate in figurative use; broader application to economies, traditions, relationships

  • rejuvenate

    suggests making something feel young or youthful again

  • revitalize

    the most natural choice for abstract concepts like institutions, communities, or spirit

  • reinvigorate

    focuses on restoring physical or mental energy specifically

Antonyms
  • exhaust

    to drain energy or strength from someone

  • weaken

    to make something less strong or effective

Grammar Patterns

[something] renovates + noun phrase (spirit, energy, enthusiasm)

Usage Note

This figurative sense is more literary or formal than sense 1. The subject is typically an experience (a walk, a speech, a change of scenery) rather than a person.

Common Mistakes

The government renovated the economy.
The government revitalized the economy.
renovate sounds unnatural with broad abstract nouns like 'economy'; revitalize or revive is preferred.
Reading books renovates my knowledge.
Reading books refreshes my knowledge.
renovate does not naturally pair with 'knowledge'; use refresh, renew, or update.

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Renovate, refurbish, restore, and remodel all involve improving something that already exists, but they differ in scope and goal. Renovate is the broadest: it means to repair and update a space or object — think of a 1970s kitchen receiving new cabinets, countertops, and plumbing. Refurbish is lighter and more cosmetic: cleaning, repainting, and replacing worn surfaces without changing the structure. Restore aims to return something to a past state — a Victorian house restored to its 1890s appearance, with original materials preserved. Remodel changes the layout or design: knocking down walls or rearranging rooms. Use renovate for a general renewal, refurbish for a surface-level refresh, restore for historical accuracy, and remodel for structural redesign.

renovate ↗refurbishrestore ↗remodel

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • undergo renovation
  • carry out renovations
  • renovation project

Prepositions