What does renaissance mean?
The word renaissance most often means a revival or rebirth: a renewed period of creativity, interest, growth, or activity after something has declined or fallen out of favor. It is widely used figuratively, as in “a renaissance of folk music,” and can also suggest renewed attention to an overlooked subject. With a capital R, Renaissance refers specifically to the European cultural and intellectual revival of roughly the 14th through 17th centuries, especially its art, humanism, and intellectual achievements. The lowercase noun therefore carries a broad modern sense, while the capitalized historical term names a particular cultural epoch. In general use, renaissance suggests renewal and vitality rather than a complete return to an earlier state, though it can also imply the recovery of something once flourishing. Its strong cultural associations make it especially useful for describing revivals in art, literature, and public life.
The revival or rebirth of a culture, activity, idea, or creative field; also, capitalized, the European cultural and intellectual revival of roughly the 14th through 17th centuries.
"The festival has helped bring about a renaissance in traditional weaving."
Capitalize the term when referring specifically to the historical European Renaissance.
Relating to the European Renaissance or its culture, art, or intellectual life.
"The museum's Renaissance galleries display paintings from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries."
This use is normally capitalized as Renaissance.
The plural is uncommon and is normally used for multiple distinct periods of revival or renewal.
"The article compares several cultural renaissances of the twentieth century."
The Renaissance was not merely a comeback: it was a historic rebirth of art, learning, and humanist thought.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does renaissance come from?
The English noun comes through French renaissance, from Italian rinascita, reflecting the Latin renasci, “to be born again.” In English, it came to denote cultural or intellectual rebirth and became the conventional name for the European period of renewal associated with the 14th through 17th centuries. Related forms such as renascence and renascent preserve the same Latin idea of being born again.
How renaissance is actually used
The metaphorical sense is especially common in journalism and cultural criticism. The historical European period and works belonging to it are normally capitalized.
Easily confused with renaissance
Renascence is a relatively uncommon synonym for renaissance, while renaissance is the standard and much more familiar form.
A resurgence emphasizes the return of strength or activity after a decline, whereas a renaissance can also mean the revival of a particular culture, idea, art form, or way of life.