What does revitalize mean?
Revitalize means to restore new life, energy, or activity to something that has become tired, neglected, inactive, or disused. The verb is commonly applied to neighborhoods, town centers, economies, old buildings, organizations, and public services, where it suggests renewal rather than merely repair. It can also refer to a person or group recovering lost energy, though that usage is less frequent. A second common meaning is to renew interest in a subject, custom, or activity that has declined. In current usage, revitalize often carries a positive, practical connotation: it presents deterioration as reversible and implies that renewed investment or attention will produce improvement. The word is especially frequent in discussions of urban policy, business, tourism, culture, and community development. Its close relatives revive and renew emphasize restoration, while rejuvenate often suggests becoming or making something feel younger and fresher.
verbTo give new life, energy, or activity to something. It can refer to renewing a person or community, restoring the vitality of a place or organization, or renewing interest in an idea or activity.
- To restore vitality, activity, or vigor to a person, place, organization, or thing.
- To renew interest, enthusiasm, or support for an idea, activity, or undertaking.
"The new residents helped revitalize the once-neglected neighborhood."
"The tour was designed to revitalize interest in the region’s traditional crafts."
"New investment could revitalize the town center and create local jobs."
To revitalize is to restore not merely a thing’s usefulness, but its visible spirit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does revitalize come from?
Revitalize was formed in the 19th century from the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and vitalize, meaning “to make vital.” Its deeper vocabulary comes through Latin vita, “life,” and the related adjective vitalis, “of or pertaining to life.” The same Latin root appears in vitality, vitamin, and vituperate, although the development and meanings of these words vary considerably.
Related word forms
How revitalize is actually used
The verb is especially common in public policy, economic development, community renewal, and cultural discussion. British English usually spells it “revitalise,” while American English uses “revitalize.”