English Reference
Verb

rekindle

v.
C1 Advanced US /ɹiˈkɪndəɫ/ UK /ɹɪkˈɪndəl/ rekin·dle UK spelling rekindled, rekindles

v.to start a fire again or to make a feeling or relationship strong and active once more.

v.to reignite a fire or to revive a dormant feeling, relationship, or interest. Often used figuratively to describe the restoration of emotional or social connections.


SIMPLE

They tried to rekindle their friendship after years apart.

CONTEXTUAL

The couple decided to go on a trip together to see if they could rekindle their romance.

COMPLEX

The recent success of the local theater group has done much to rekindle the community's interest in the arts after a decade of decline.

So when Flowers moved back home and started revisiting his childhood haunts, his passion for country was rekindled.

BBC News· 21 Aug 2026

The Heavens to Betsy reunion has offered an opportunity to revisit the music as well as to rekindle their friendship.

The Guardian· 19 Aug 2026

From re- + kindle.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated