What does reignite mean?
Reignite means to light again or to set something alight once more. Its figurative use is more common and often more expressive: to reignite a debate is to make an inactive or forgotten subject active again, while to reignite interest is to restore enthusiasm or curiosity. The word can similarly describe restarting an engine, restoring an old flame, or reviving a relationship or creative effort. It is related to relight, but reignite emphasizes renewed activity or vitality rather than merely the physical act of lighting something again. The term is useful when describing the return of energy, passion, or public attention that has previously declined. Although it occurs in both British and American English, more familiar alternatives such as relight, revive, and restart are available for many contexts.
verbTo relight or set alight again. By extension, to revive or restart something that has stopped, weakened, or lost momentum.
- To set alight again, especially a fire or flame.
- To revive or restart something that has stopped, weakened, or lost enthusiasm.
"The ceremony will reignite the community's sense of unity."
"The wind reignited the embers in the abandoned fireplace."
"Her speech reignited interest in the forgotten history of the region."
Reignite means more than lighting a fire again: it can describe bringing an old debate, relationship, or ambition back to life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reignite come from?
Reignite is formed in English by combining the prefix re-, meaning “again,” with ignite, “to set on fire.” Ignite comes through Old French from Latin ignire, a verb derived from ignis, meaning “fire.” Related English words include ignition and igneous, both of which preserve the same Latin root concerning fire.
Related word forms
How reignite is actually used
Reignite is most often used in figurative contexts involving revived activity, interest, debate, or enthusiasm. In literal contexts, relight is often the more natural choice.
Easily confused with reignite
Ignite means to set something alight or spark an enthusiasm, whereas reignite means to do so again or to revive something that has faded.