Word
renew
Phoneticsre·new, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹɪˈnu/
UK/ɹɪnjˈuː/
Definitions
01to extend a contract or loan
B1 · Intermediate
v. to make an agreement, like a passport or a library book, last for a longer time.
v. to extend the period of validity of a contract, license, or loan agreement.
“I need to go to the library to renew my books for another two weeks.”
“The tenant expressed a desire to renew the lease for another year, provided the landlord agreed to keep the rent at the current rate.”
Usage
Often used with objects like 'passport', 'subscription', 'lease', or 'membership'.
02to start again
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to begin an activity again after a break.
v. to resume or recommence an activity or relationship after an interruption.
“The two countries decided to renew their trade talks after the summer break.”
“After a decade of silence, the estranged brothers decided to renew their relationship following their father's funeral.”
Usage
Commonly collocates with 'efforts', 'interest', 'vows', or 'friendship'.
Antonyms
03to restore or replace
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to make something look or feel new again by repairing or replacing parts.
v. to restore something to its original state or to replace exhausted supplies.
“The spring rain helped to renew the dry garden and make it green again.”
“The body has a remarkable ability to renew its own cells, though this process slows down significantly as we age.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “renew” in context.
Verb
01. renew a commitment to sustainability
“The CEO used the annual meeting to renew the firm's commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
02. renew a contract
“The company decided to renew the contract for another three years after a successful pilot program.”
verb + noun
03. renew a subscription
“Don't forget to renew your subscription before it expires at the end of the month.”
verb + noun
04. renew an interest in photography
“Visiting the gallery renewed his interest in photography, prompting him to buy a new camera.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
Adverb
05. automatically renew
“Your membership will automatically renew each year unless you choose to opt out.”
adv + verb
06. formally renew the offer
“The board of directors met yesterday to formally renew the offer to the prospective merger partner.”
adv + verb + noun
07. periodically renew the license
“Software users must periodically renew the license to continue receiving security updates.”
adv + verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“Dhaka also renewed its demands for India to extradite Hasina.” “Speaking after a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee, Burnham refused to say if the summer had made the case against renewed drilling in the North Sea, which his government is considering.” Etymology
From Middle English renewen, an alteration (possibly on analogy with Latin renovāre) of earlier anewen (“to renew”), from Old English nīewian (“to restore; renovate; renew”), equivalent to re- + new. Cognate with Old High German giniuwōn (“to renew”), Middle High German geniuwen (“to renew”), Old Norse nýja (“to renew”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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