re

¹

[ rey ]

noun

, Music.

1. the syllable used for the second tone of a diatonic scale.
2. (in the fixed system of solmization) the tone D. Compare sol-fa ( def 1 ).

re

²

[ ree, rey ]

preposition

, Chiefly Law and Commerce.

1. in the case of; with reference to; in re.

're

³

[ er ]

1. contraction of are: They're leaving.

Re

⁴

[ rey ]

noun

, Egyptian Religion.

1. Ra.

Re

⁵

Symbol, Chemistry.

1. rhenium.

R/E

⁶

or RE

1. real estate.

re-

⁷

1. a prefix, occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, used with the meaning “again” or “again and again” to indicate repetition, or with the meaning “back” or “backward” to indicate withdrawal or backward motion:

   regenerate; refurbish; retype; retrace; revert.

Re.

⁸

or re.

abbreviation for

1. rupee.

r.e.

⁹

abbreviation for

, Football.

1. right end.

R.E.

¹⁰

abbreviation for

1. real estate.
2. Reformed Episcopal.
3. Right Excellent.

Re

¹

symbol for

1. rupee

re

²

/ riː /

preposition

1. with reference to

Re

³

the chemical symbol for

1. rhenium

re

⁴

the internet domain name for

1. Reunion Island

're

⁵

contraction of

1. are

   we're

   they're

   you're

re-

⁶

prefix

1. indicating return to a previous condition, restoration, withdrawal, etc

   retrace

   rebuild

   reunite

   renew

2. indicating repetition of an action

   remarry

   recopy

RE

⁷

abbreviation for

1. Reformed Episcopal
2. Religious Education
3. Right Excellent
4. Royal Engineers

Re

⁸

/ reɪ /

noun

1. another name for Ra 2

re

⁹

/ riː; reɪ /

noun

1. music a variant spelling of ray 3

Usage Note

See contraction.

Usage

Re , in contexts such as re your letter, your remarks have been noted or he spoke to me re your complaint , is common in business or official correspondence. In general English with reference to is preferable in the former case and about or concerning in the latter. Even in business correspondence, the use of re is often restricted to the letter heading

Verbs beginning with re- indicate repetition or restoration. It is unnecessary to add an adverb such as back or again : This must not occur again (not recur again ); we recounted the votes (not recounted the votes again , which implies that the votes were counted three times, not twice)

Word History and Origins

Origin of re¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; gamut

Origin of re²

First recorded in 1700–10; from Latin rē “(in the) matter, affair, thing,” ablative of rēs

Origin of re³

Middle English < Latin re-, red-

Word History and Origins

Origin of re¹

C18: from Latin rē , ablative case of rēs thing

Origin of re²

from Latin

Example Sentences

‘The allegations re: rigging of Miss Universe are false,’ the CEO of Miss Universe said after crowning the pageant’s first Filipina American champion.

From Los Angeles Times

They‘re now old enough to defend what was to them just as foundational as seeing “Star Wars” in a theater was for kids in 1977.

From Los Angeles Times

The vulgarities in question mostly center around an over-the-top performance of toxic masculinity: throwing around sexist terms like "sl*t" and "wh*re," homophobic slurs, and using phrases like "grow a pair."

From Salon

"This study could be the initial mover for re- evaluating the comet interior evolution and activity theory."

From Science Daily

The first poet with whom I tried this was Viva Padilla, who owns the bookstore re/arte on Cesar Chavez Avenue.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• depend on
• rest on