What does revived mean?
Revived means brought back to life, renewed, or restored to active use. The word is especially common when describing a person who regains strength after illness or exhaustion: “The treatment revived him.” It is also frequently used metaphorically for public interest, a declining economy, an old tradition, or a project that had been abandoned. “The festival was revived in 1998,” for example, indicates that the festival returned after a period of inactivity. As an adjective, revived usually appears before a noun, as in “revived interest” or “a revived economy.” As a verb, revived is the past tense and past participle of revive. Its figurative uses suggest not merely continuation but the restoration of something that had weakened, disappeared, or been neglected.
Brought back to life, importance, use, or activity; renewed or restored.
"The singer began a revived international career after the documentary."
Commonly used before nouns such as interest, economy, career, and spirits.
Brought someone or something back to life, strength, activity, popularity, or use.
"The new owners revived the neighbourhood's neglected theatre."
It is the past tense and past participle of revive and is often used metaphorically.
To revive something is literally to give it life again: the word combines the Latin prefix re-, meaning “again,” with vivere, meaning “to live.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does revived come from?
The word comes from Latin revivere, formed from re-, meaning “again,” and vivere, meaning “to live.” English borrowed revive in the 16th century, with revived developing as its inflected form. Related words include revival and reviver, while the broader family also includes vivacious, from the same Latin root associated with living.
Related word forms
How revived is actually used
The word is common in both formal and informal contexts. It can describe literal recovery from death or stillness, but it is also widely used metaphorically for renewed interest, popularity, economic activity, and the return of an old practice.
Easily confused with revived
Revived means brought back into life or active use, whereas revised means altered or improved after examination.
Revived describes something restored to activity or significance, while revered describes something held in great respect.