What does rejuvenate mean?
Rejuvenate means to restore freshness, vitality, youthfulness, or effective functioning. People use it for personal care, such as skin treatments or rest that restores energy, and also for places, organizations, landscapes, and economic activity that have become tired, neglected, or outdated. A vacation may rejuvenate a person; a renovation may rejuvenate a building; a new program may rejuvenate an institution. The word suggests a return to strength or life rather than merely making a small improvement. It can also imply appearing younger, especially in cosmetic contexts. Because it conveys both literal renewal and broader revival, rejuvenate has a positive, often slightly formal tone and is useful when describing something restored to vigor after a period of decline.
verbTo make someone or something seem, feel, or function younger or more vigorous; to restore freshness, vitality, or effectiveness.
- To restore freshness, vitality, or youthful appearance.
- To renew or improve something that has become less effective, attractive, or active.
- To give renewed energy or enthusiasm to a person, place, or organization.
"The renovation helped rejuvenate the old building and make it more inviting."
"A short holiday can help rejuvenate the mind after a demanding week."
"The new investment was intended to rejuvenate the town center and attract businesses."
Rejuvenate comes from the same Latin root as juvenile, so to rejuvenate something is literally to make it young again.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rejuvenate come from?
Rejuvenate comes from Latin, combining the prefix re-, meaning again, withLatin juvenis, meaning young or youthful. The word entered English in the early 19th century, initially in the sense of restoring something to a younger or more vigorous condition. Its cognate relatives include juvenile and junior, which also derive from Latin juvenis, while juvenescent refers to becoming or appearing youthful.
Related word forms
How rejuvenate is actually used
The word is formal but widely understood. It can describe both literal biological or cosmetic renewal and figurative social, economic, or environmental revival.
Easily confused with rejuvenate
Rejuvenate restores a sense of youth, freshness, or vitality, while invigorate primarily means to give someone energy and stimulate activity.
Revive commonly means to bring someone or something back to life or active use, whereas rejuvenate often emphasizes renewed freshness, youthfulness, or effectiveness.