ENGLISH
REFERENCE

recreate

v.
US //ˈɹɛkɹiˌeɪt// recre·ate
  1. 1 to make again (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make something from the past exist or happen again.

    to create anew; to reproduce or represent a past event, atmosphere, or object. Often spelled with a hyphen as 're-create' to distinguish it from the leisure sense.

    Example

    The historical village helps to recreate what life was like in the 1800s.

    Example

    The production designer worked tirelessly to recreate the specific aesthetic of 1920s Berlin, sourcing authentic props from across Europe.

    Usage

    Commonly takes a direct object representing a scene, event, or feeling.
    Pitfall
    The museum tried to recreate of the battle.
    The museum tried to recreate the battle.

    The verb 'recreate' is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.

  2. 2 to relax or play (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical

    to take part in a hobby or activity for fun and relaxation.

    to engage in recreation; to refresh oneself through leisure activities. This sense is often found in formal or academic contexts regarding public land use.

    Example

    The park provides a beautiful space where local families can recreate together.

    Example

    The government designated the coastal area as a protected zone where citizens are permitted to recreate responsibly.

    Usage

    Often used intransitively in legal or environmental documents.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern speech, people usually say 'relax' or 'have fun' instead of using this specific verb sense.
Etymology 1

From Middle English recreate, from the participle stem of Latin recreāre (“to restore”), from re- (“re-”) + creāre (“to create”).

Etymology 2

From re- + create.

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