refurbished
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.describes an item that was used or broken but has been repaired and cleaned to work like new.
adj.referring to goods or property that have been renovated, repaired, or updated to meet original specifications or modern standards.
Simple“I bought a refurbished laptop for half the price of a new one, and it works perfectly.”
In context“The company specialises in selling refurbished medical equipment, ensuring each unit undergoes rigorous testing before being recertified for clinical use.”
UsageCommonly used for electronics (phones, computers) and buildings.
Teacher's tipLearners often confuse this with 'new'. Emphasize that a refurbished item is technically second-hand but has been professionally serviced.
PitfallThe house is very refurbish. The house is refurbished.Use the '-ed' ending when describing the state of the object after the work is finished.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.the past tense of 'refurbish', meaning you cleaned or fixed something up in the past.
v.the past tense and past participle form of the transitive verb 'refurbish', indicating the completion of restorative work.
Simple“They refurbished the old hotel last summer to attract more tourists.”
In context“After the city council refurbished the historic library, visitor numbers increased by nearly forty percent within the first quarter.”
UsageAs a transitive verb, it requires a direct object (the thing being fixed).
Synonyms
“After detaching from the rocket's center core, the two boosters returned safely to the launch site, where they can be refurbished.”