What does remold mean?
Remold means to shape, form, or fashion something again. The word is especially natural when describing the reshaping of a physical material, such as clay, wax, metal, or dough, although it can also be used more broadly for giving an existing form a new outline or structure. Its clearest implication is that the material or basic object remains in place while its shape is altered. Remold is chiefly an American spelling; in British English, remould is more usual. Although the word can occasionally be applied figuratively to ideas or institutions, reshape is generally the more familiar and versatile modern verb. Remold should not be confused with remodel, which commonly refers to redesigning a building or substantially changing the structure of a larger organization or system.
verbTo shape or mold something again, especially by reshaping an existing form.
- To shape or mold something again, especially by pressing or reshaping material.
"The sculptor remolded the soft clay to correct the proportions of the figure."
"After the statue was damaged, the conservators carefully remolded the broken sections."
"She remolded the dough so that it would fit the larger baking tin."
Remold gives an existing form a fresh shape: it is reshaping with the original material still in play.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does remold come from?
Remold is formed by combining the prefix re-, meaning “again,” with the verb mold, meaning “to shape.” The spelling reflects the usual American form mold; the older and still common British spelling is mould, producing the variant remould. Both forms follow the ordinary English pattern of re- plus a verb to indicate a repeated action.
Related word forms
How remold is actually used
This is chiefly an American spelling; British usage normally prefers the variant remould. It is relatively uncommon and tends to describe the physical reshaping of an object or material.
Easily confused with remold
Remold means to shape an object or material again, whereas remodel more often means to redesign a building or substantially change the structure of something.