renovation

renovation — noun

1. the work of repairing and updating a building, room, or piece of furniture so th

1.nounB1
Definition

the work of repairing and updating a building, room, or piece of furniture so that it looks modern and functions well

Example

The school is closed this summer while the renovation of the science wing takes place.

collocation: the renovation of [building/area]

Matthew and his wife spent their savings on a full renovation of the old kitchen.

collocation: full renovation of

Common collocations
  • carry out a renovation
  • undertake a renovation
  • full renovation
  • major renovation
  • complete renovation
  • kitchen renovation
  • home renovation
  • bathroom renovation
  • renovation work
  • renovation project
Synonyms
  • restoration

    focuses on returning something to its original condition, often preserving historical features

  • refurbishment

    mainly British English; refers to cleaning, painting, and refreshing without major structural change

  • remodeling

    American English; implies changing the layout or structure of a space

Antonyms
  • demolition

    the act of tearing a building down completely

Grammar Patterns

the renovation of [something]

undergo / carry out / do a renovation

Usage Note

Frequently used in compound nouns like 'renovation work', 'renovation project', 'kitchen renovation'. Can be countable ('a full renovation') or uncountable ('renovation work').

Common Mistakes

We are doing renovation to our house.
We are doing renovation work on our house.' or ✅ 'We are renovating our house.
'renovation' as an activity typically pairs with 'carry out', 'do', 'undertake', or 'work on', not with 'to'.

2. the good condition that a building or space is in after all repair and improveme

2.nounB2
Definition

the good condition that a building or space is in after all repair and improvement work has been completed

Example

After months of work, the old theatre is finally in a state of beautiful renovation.

collocation: in a state of renovation

Shanti admired the careful renovation of her grandmother's antique table — the wood gleamed.

Common collocations
  • in a state of renovation
  • careful renovation
  • beautiful renovation
Synonyms
  • restoration

    also describes the state after returning something to its original condition, but often with a stronger historical focus

Antonyms
  • dilapidation

    the state of being broken down or in poor condition from neglect

Grammar Patterns

in a state of renovation

the renovation of [something] + [result description]

Usage Note

Typically uncountable and describes the resulting quality or appearance after renovation is finished. Commonly used with 'in a state of' or with adjectives describing the outcome.

Word family

  • renovate
    verbB1
  • renovator
    nounB2
  • renovated
    adjectiveB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Renovation, restoration, refurbishment, and remodeling all describe making improvements to a building or object, but they differ in focus. Renovation is the broadest term — it means repairing and updating something, often to make it function better or look modern (e.g., 'The kitchen renovation replaced old cabinets and added new appliances'). Restoration focuses on returning something to its original, earlier condition, preserving historical features rather than modernising (e.g., 'The restoration of the Victorian ceiling used authentic paints'). Refurbishment is mainly British English and refers to cleaning, painting, and refreshing without major structural changes (e.g., 'The hotel underwent a refurbishment of its guest rooms'). Remodeling is common in American English and implies changing the layout or structure of a space (e.g., 'They are remodeling the basement into a home office'). Choose the term that matches what kind of change you are describing.

restoration ↗refurbishmentremodeling

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • under renovation
  • in need of renovation
  • undergo renovation
  • carry out a renovation

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Renovation comes from Latin 'renovatio', formed from 're-' (meaning 'again') and 'novare' (meaning 'to make new'), combined with the noun suffix '-atio'. It entered English in the 1400s, originally with the general sense of 'making new again', and later became closely associated with repairing buildings and structures.