What does redye mean?
Redye means to dye something again, generally because its original colour has faded, become undesirable, or simply because a different colour is now wanted. The verb is especially associated with clothing and other textiles, although it can be applied to any object that has previously been dyed. “Redye the dress” means to give an already-dyed dress another application of colour, while “redye the fabric in blue” specifies the intended new shade. It can imply renewal, as when restoring a faded garment, but it can also mean a deliberate change of colour. In consumer contexts, redyeing is generally less expensive and more environmentally responsible than replacing an item outright. The word is also sometimes written with a hyphen, “re-dye,” particularly in British usage, although the unhyphenated form is fully established in both British and American English.
verbTo dye something again, especially to give it a fresh or different colour.
- To dye an existing object again, usually in order to restore or change its colour.
"She took the faded shirt to a tailor to have it redyed."
"The shop can redye the jacket in a darker shade of blue."
"After the dye faded unevenly, she redyed the scarf."
Redyeing gives an old garment a colourful second life without requiring a brand-new one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does redye come from?
“Redye” is a transparent compound formed from the English words “red” and “dye,” meaning to dye again. “Red” comes from Old English rēad, while “dye” comes from Old English dēag, meaning colour or pigment. The compound’s meaning developed directly from applying dye a second time, and modern spellings include both “redye” and “re-dye.”
Related word forms
How redye is actually used
Usually transitive and relatively uncommon in everyday speech. Both “redye” and the hyphenated “re-dye” are used; the corresponding past tense and present participle are commonly written “redyed” and “redyeing.”
Easily confused with redye
Redye is pronounced with the second syllable sounding like “dye,” whereas ready is pronounced /ˈrɛdi/.