# revive

/ɹiˈvaɪv/ (US) · /ɹɪvˈaɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/revive
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to restore consciousness

verb · CEFR B2

to make someone conscious again after they have fainted or stopped breathing.

For teachers: to restore a person or animal to consciousness or life. It can be used transitively with an object or intransitively to describe the person waking up.

- The lifeguards managed to revive the swimmer after pulling him from the water.
- Emergency medical technicians worked feverishly to revive the patient, who had lost consciousness shortly after the accident occurred.

### 2. to bring back an idea or practice

verb · CEFR B2

to start using or doing something again that was popular in the past.

For teachers: to restore interest in or the practice of something that has fallen into disuse or obscurity.

- The company is trying to revive a fashion trend from the 1990s.
- The local council hopes to revive the traditional summer festival to boost tourism and community spirit after years of decline.

### 3. to perform a play again

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to produce a new version of an old play, film, or musical.

For teachers: to produce a new performance of a theatrical work or broadcast after a period of inactivity.

- The theatre decided to revive the classic musical for its fiftieth anniversary.
- The National Theatre's decision to revive the controversial 1920s drama was met with both critical acclaim and public curiosity.

### 4. to improve health or energy

verb · CEFR B2

to make someone feel healthy, strong, or active again.

For teachers: to restore vigour, health, or physical condition to a living organism.

- A cold drink and a short rest helped to revive the tired hikers.
- The heavy rainfall was just enough to revive the wilting crops after the record-breaking summer drought.

### 5. to bring back a feeling

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to make a feeling or memory come back.

For teachers: to reawaken or reactivate a specific emotion, state of mind, or memory.

- Seeing the old photographs helped revive memories of their childhood.
- The unexpected letter served to revive old animosities that the family had spent decades trying to bury.

## Examples

- A glass of water can revive a wilting plant.
- The city plans to revive the old market square with new shops and restaurants.
- The director's decision to revive the forgotten play was a bold artistic move, ultimately earning both critical acclaim and commercial success.

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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.