What does reinvigorate mean?
Reinvigorate means to restore fresh energy, strength, or enthusiasm to someone or something. The word is especially useful when fatigue, discouragement, inactivity, or decline has reduced someone's effectiveness or spirit. A coach might reinvigorate a tired team, a walk might reinvigorate a traveler, or new investment might reinvigorate a local economy. Its prefix re- indicates that vitality has been recovered rather than created for the first time. Although revitalize is more common in general use, reinvigorate often has a stronger emphasis on renewed vigor and is particularly appropriate for formal descriptions of recovery, regeneration, and renewed activity. It can also be used figuratively for institutions, systems, and public efforts that need a fresh infusion of confidence and strength.
verbTo give someone or something fresh energy, strength, or enthusiasm after a period of fatigue, inactivity, or decline.
- To restore energy, strength, or enthusiasm to a person, group, organization, or system.
"The coach's motivational speech reinvigorated the team before the final match."
"A short walk through the woods reinvigorated her after the long drive."
"The new investment is intended to reinvigorate the struggling local economy."
Reinvigorate combines the idea of renewal with the force of vigor: it describes not merely restarting, but restoring lost energy and spirit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reinvigorate come from?
Reinvigorate was formed in the early 19th century by combining the prefix re-, meaning “again,” with invigorate, meaning “to give strength or energy.” Invigorate comes from Latin invigorare, formed from in- and vigor, “strength, vitality,” with the sense of “strengthen” or “give vigor to.” The modern form reflects the Latin-derived English vigor and its established derivatives, including vigorous.
Related word forms
How reinvigorate is actually used
A formal but widely understood verb. It is commonly used for people, teams, organizations, economies, and efforts, and often implies a noticeable return of energy or enthusiasm.
Easily confused with reinvigorate
Revitalize is the more common general term for restoring energy or vitality, while reinvigorate often suggests giving renewed strength and enthusiasm after fatigue or discouragement.