Word
redefine
Phoneticsre·de·fine, stress on the third syllable
US/ɹidɪˈfaɪn/
UK/ɹˌiːdɪfˈaɪn/
Definition
v. to change the way people think about or describe something. You use this when a new idea or invention completely changes the meaning of a concept.
v. to give a new meaning to something or to change its nature or scope. Often implies a transformative shift in understanding or a fundamental change in how a category is perceived.
Examples
“Smartphones helped redefine how we communicate with each other.”
“The company's latest software update aims to redefine the user experience by simplifying the entire interface.”
“The architect's innovative use of sustainable materials helped redefine modern urban living, proving that luxury and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive.”
Examples
simple
“Smartphones helped redefine how we communicate with each other.”
contextual
“The company's latest software update aims to redefine the user experience by simplifying the entire interface.”
complex
“The architect's innovative use of sustainable materials helped redefine modern urban living, proving that luxury and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“Those terms keep moving, because success itself keeps being redefined.” “And she’s redefining the field as she goes; interoception is not a one-way signal from body to brain but a continuous two-way communication system, each direction shaping the other in real time.” “She also said the media “needs to think about redefining what [they] see as news”.” Etymology
From re- + define.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/redefine