revive

[ ri-vahyv ]

verb (used with object)

, re·vived, re·viv·ing.

1. to activate, set in motion, or take up again; renew:

   to revive old feuds.

   Synonyms: reactivate

2. to restore to life or consciousness:

   We revived him with artificial respiration.

   Synonyms: resuscitate, reanimate, revitalize

   Antonyms: kill

3. to put on or show (an old play or motion picture) again.
4. to make operative or valid again.

   Synonyms: reactivate

5. to bring back into notice, use, or currency:

   to revive a subject of discussion.

6. to quicken or renew in the mind; bring back:

   to revive memories.

   Synonyms: refresh, rouse

7. to reanimate or cheer (the spirit, heart, etc., or a person).
8. Chemistry. to restore or reduce to the natural or uncombined state, as a metal.

verb (used without object)

, re·vived, re·viv·ing.

1. to return to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, or a flourishing condition.
2. to recover from financial depression.
3. to be quickened, restored, or renewed, as hope, confidence, suspicions, or memories.
4. to return to notice, use, or currency, as a subject, practice, or doctrine.
5. to become operative or valid again.
6. Chemistry. to recover the natural or uncombined state, as a metal.

revive

/ rɪˈvaɪv /

verb

1. to bring or be brought back to life, consciousness, or strength; resuscitate or be resuscitated

   revived by a drop of whisky

2. to give or assume new vitality; flourish again or cause to flourish again
3. to make or become operative or active again

   the youth movement was revived

4. to bring or come into use or currency again

   to revive a language

5. tr to take up again

   he revived his old hobby

6. to bring or come back to mind
7. tr theatre to mount a new production of (an old play)

Derived Forms

• reˈvivingly, adverb
• reˈviving, adjective
• reˈvivable, adjective
• reˈvivably, adverb
• reˌvivaˈbility, noun
• reˈviver, noun

Other Words From

• re·viva·ble adjective
• re·viva·bili·ty noun
• re·viva·bly adverb
• re·viver noun
• re·viving·ly adverb
• unre·viva·ble adjective
• unre·vived adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of revive¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English reviven, from Latin revīvere “to live again,” from re- re- + vīvere “to live” ( vital )

Word History and Origins

Origin of revive¹

C15: from Old French revivre to live again, from Latin revīvere , from re- + vīvere to live; see vivid

Example Sentences

Foster said he’s also revived a friendship with former USC quarterback Carson Palmer now that Palmer has moved back to California from Idaho.

From Los Angeles Times

He plans to revive the practice of “impounding” funds — blocking agencies from spending money that Congress has appropriated for programs he doesn’t like.

From Los Angeles Times

The findings come at a time of growing interest in reviving a traditional burning culture on Lutruwita.

From Science Magazine

But others determined to fight have revived that spirit in me.

From Salon

His successor will face the challenge that Africa’s best formula for peace and security lies in norm-based multilateral cooperation, but 2025 will be an inauspicious year for reviving that project.

From BBC

Related Words

• arouse
• encourage
• energize
• invigorate
• overcome
• quicken
• recover
• rejuvenate
• rekindle
• renew
• renovate
• repair
• restore
• resurrect
• resuscitate
• revitalize
• strengthen