English Reference
verb

recreate

v.
US /ˈɹɛkɹiˌeɪt/ recre·ate UK spelling recreated, recreates, recreating

  1. 01 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

    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. 02 C1 Advanced FormalTechnical

    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.

    Simple

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

    In context

    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.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers humorously recreate the photo for their 1988 release The Abbey Road EP.

The Guardian· 22 Aug 2026

Beavers are being brought back to the land to recreate wetlands.

Smithsonian Magazine· 28 Jul 2026

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.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin recreō
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated