What does renovating mean?
Renovating means repairing, restoring, or modernizing something that already exists, especially a house, building, or room. It usually suggests a substantial improvement rather than simple cleaning or decoration: renovating a kitchen might involve new cabinets, plumbing, flooring, or appliances, while renovating a historic building might preserve its original features while improving its condition. The word can also be used more broadly for efforts to modernize an organization, service, or system. “Renovating” is the present participle of “renovate,” and is especially common in the present continuous, as in “They are renovating the property.” It is useful when describing work intended to make an existing structure or service more functional, attractive, or comfortable.
To restore, repair, modernize, or improve a building, room, or other existing property.
"They are renovating the kitchen before the new tenants arrive."
Commonly used in the present continuous to describe ongoing work on an existing structure.
To restore or improve the condition, effectiveness, or appearance of something more broadly.
"The company is renovating its customer service system."
This extended use is less common than the usual sense involving buildings and rooms.
Renovating preserves the structure of a building while giving it a new life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does renovating come from?
The word comes from Latin renovare, meaning “to make new again,” formed from re-, meaning “again,” and novare, meaning “to make new.” It entered English through the related form “renovation,” with “renovate” later becoming established as a verb. The same Latin root appears in other English words associated with renewal and newness.
Related word forms
How renovating is actually used
“Renovating” usually implies repairing or improving an existing property while retaining or enhancing its basic character. It is commonly used with houses, buildings, rooms, and commercial premises, though it can also refer more broadly to improving systems or services.
Easily confused with renovating
Renovate is the base verb form, while renovating is its present participle, as in “They are renovating the house.”