Word
rename
Phoneticsre·name, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈneɪm/
UK/ɹɪnˈeɪm/
Definition
v. to give a person, place, or thing a new name. You do this when the old name no longer fits or you want a fresh start.
v. to assign a new name to an entity, replacing the previous designation. Often involves updating records or digital files to reflect the change.
Examples
“I need to rename this folder so I can find it later.”
“The city council voted to rename the central park after a famous local poet to celebrate the town's history.”
“After the merger, the executive board decided to rename the entire corporation to signal a shift toward sustainable energy and distance themselves from past controversies.”
Examples
simple
“I need to rename this folder so I can find it later.”
contextual
“The city council voted to rename the central park after a famous local poet to celebrate the town's history.”
complex
“After the merger, the executive board decided to rename the entire corporation to signal a shift toward sustainable energy and distance themselves from past controversies.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object; it often takes a second noun phrase as a complement ('rename X Y').
Etymology
From re- + name.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/rename