Word
redeem
Phoneticsre·deem, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹɪˈdim/
UK/ɹɪdˈiːm/
Definitions
01to compensate for a fault
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make a bad situation or person seem better by doing something good.
v. to offset the negative effects of a flaw or mistake through a positive quality or action.
Español:redimirse
“The film was quite boring, but the beautiful ending helped to redeem it.”
“The protagonist spends the final act attempting to redeem himself in the eyes of his family after years of neglect.”
Usage
Often used in the passive voice or with a reflexive pronoun like 'himself' or 'themselves'.
Synonyms
02to exchange a voucher
B2 · Upper Intermediate Finance
v. to trade a coupon, voucher, or points for goods, services, or money.
v. to exchange a document, voucher, or digital code for its equivalent value in goods or cash.
“You can redeem your reward points for a gift card at any of our stores.”
“Investors may choose to redeem their shares for cash once the fund reaches its maturity date.”
03to fulfill a promise
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to do what you promised you would do.
v. to carry out or fulfill a pledge, promise, or obligation.
“The politician struggled to redeem the promises he made during the election.”
“The governor was determined to redeem his pledge to lower taxes before the end of his term.”
Etymology
From Middle English redemen, modified from Old French redimer, from Latin redimō (“release; obviate; atone for”), itself from red- (“back; again”) + emō (“buy; gain, take, procure”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
01. redeem oneself
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/redeem
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0