What does reflate mean?
Reflate means to inflate something again after it has been deflated. The word is most closely associated with airships and balloons, which could be emptied of gas or air for storage, transport, or maintenance and then filled again before a flight or public display. It can also describe restoring pressure or volume to an inflatable structure after it has been collapsed or partly deflated. Although “reflate” is logically the opposite of “deflate,” ordinary speakers are more likely to use the more familiar verb “reinflate.” The prefix re- and the verb “inflate” make its meaning straightforward: to perform the action of inflating once more. Reflate belongs mainly to specialist and historical aviation vocabulary rather than everyday language.
verbTo inflate something again after it has been deflated, especially an airship or inflatable structure.
- To inflate something again after it has been deflated, especially an airship or its envelope.
"Crews reflated the airship before it departed from the airfield."
"The maintenance team carefully reflated the balloon before the scheduled flight."
"After the demonstration, the organizers reflated the inflatable structure."
Reflate gives aviation history its own antonym: an airship could be deflated for transport and later reflated for flight.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reflate come from?
Reflate was formed in English by combining the prefix re-, meaning “again,” with inflate. Its development is closely associated with the practical vocabulary of airships, whose envelopes could be deflated when not in use and reflated before flight. The form shares its root with inflate, deflation, and flation, all of which concern the introduction or removal of air or gas.
Related word forms
How reflate is actually used
This is a rare technical verb, encountered chiefly in aviation, aeronautics, and descriptions of inflatable structures. In general use, reinflate is more familiar.
Easily confused with reflate
Deflate means to let air escape from something or reduce its volume, whereas reflate means to inflate it again after it has been deflated.