# reinvent

/ˌɹiɪnˈvɛnt/ (US) · /ɹˌiːɪnvˈɛnt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reinvent
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

to change something so much that it seems completely new. People often do this to themselves or their businesses to stay successful or interesting.

For teachers: to change something fundamentally, often to make it appear modern or more effective. Frequently used in the context of personal identity, business models, or creative processes.

## Examples

- The company had to reinvent itself to stay competitive.
- After losing his job in finance, he decided to reinvent himself as a professional chef.
- The pop star managed to reinvent her image with every new album, ensuring her brand remained relevant to a constantly shifting demographic.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and often takes a reflexive pronoun like 'himself' or 'itself'.

---

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.