# refurbished

/ɹiˈfɝbɪʃt/ (US) · /ɹɪfˈɜːbɪʃt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/refurbished
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. restored to good condition

adjective · CEFR B2

describes an item that was used or broken but has been repaired and cleaned to work like new.

For teachers: referring to goods or property that have been renovated, repaired, or updated to meet original specifications or modern standards.

- I bought a refurbished laptop for half the price of a new one, and it works perfectly.
- The company specialises in selling refurbished medical equipment, ensuring each unit undergoes rigorous testing before being recertified for clinical use.

Usage: Commonly used for electronics (phones, computers) and buildings.

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse this with 'new'. Emphasize that a refurbished item is technically second-hand but has been professionally serviced.

### 2. past action of repairing

verb · CEFR B2

the past tense of 'refurbish', meaning you cleaned or fixed something up in the past.

For teachers: the past tense and past participle form of the transitive verb 'refurbish', indicating the completion of restorative work.

- They refurbished the old hotel last summer to attract more tourists.
- After the city council refurbished the historic library, visitor numbers increased by nearly forty percent within the first quarter.

Usage: As a transitive verb, it requires a direct object (the thing being fixed).

## Examples

- I bought a refurbished laptop for a much lower price.
- The company sells refurbished smartphones that come with a one-year warranty and a new battery.
- While the exterior of the Victorian house remained untouched, the interior was completely refurbished to include modern amenities and energy-efficient heating systems.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.