What does revamp mean?
Revamp means to give an existing object, place, system, or organization a renewed form by repairing, redesigning, or modernizing it. The word is especially common in journalism, business, interior design, and technology: a company may revamp a product, a designer may revamp a website, or a council may revamp public facilities. Although it can describe physical renovation, it is also frequently used for less tangible changes, such as revamping a service, strategy, image, or career. As a noun, a revamp denotes the process or result of such renewal. The word often implies improvement and often involves noticeable changes in appearance or function, so it would usually be too strong for a minor repair or adjustment. In contemporary usage, revamp is established in both British and American English and carries a broadly neutral, professional tone.
To renovate, redesign, update, or substantially improve something.
"The company revamped its website to make the service easier to use."
Normally transitive and commonly used for substantial changes to products, places, systems, services, or organizational arrangements.
The process or result of renovating, redesigning, or modernizing something.
"The stadium underwent a major revamp before the tournament."
Common in journalism and business writing; often paired with an adjective such as major, complete, or extensive.
Used for separate acts or processes of renovation or modernization.
"The new team oversaw several major revamps of the organization's services."
Revamp began with the idea of repairing or patching something and eventually grew into the modern language of redesigning everything from kitchens to computer software.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does revamp come from?
Revamp was formed in the early 20th century from the prefix re-, meaning again, and the older verb vamp, which had been used for repairing or patching something. Its earliest sense was essentially to renovate or repair, but the word developed into a broader term for making something modern or giving it a new appearance.
How revamp is actually used
Revamp is common in British and American English, especially in journalism, business, design, and technology. It usually describes substantial improvement or modernization rather than minor repairs or adjustments.
Easily confused with revamp
A revamp is an act of renovation or modernization, whereas a vamp is a fictional creature traditionally portrayed as a seductive or predatory undead woman.