# reinvention

/ˌɹiɪnˈvɛnʃən/ (US) · /ɹˌiːɪnvˈɛnʃən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reinvention
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

a complete change in how something looks, works, or is seen, so it feels new again. You use it when a person, brand, or career starts over with a fresh image or idea.

For teachers: a thorough transformation of something — a product, career, image, or system — so that it functions or is perceived in a substantially new way. Often implies deliberate renewal after decline or stagnation.

## Examples

- Her new style marks a bold reinvention of her image.
- After years in finance, his move to teaching felt like a complete reinvention of his career.
- The city's reinvention from industrial port to cultural hub took decades of investment, planning, and gradual shifts in public perception.

## Usage notes

- Commonly followed by 'of' to specify what is transformed ('the reinvention of...').

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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.