Revive

/rɪˈvaɪv/

verbmedium📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To bring someone or something back to life or consciousness, or to restore something to a better state or condition.

/rɪˈvaɪv/

verbpositivemedium
General

To restore to life or consciousness.

The doctor used CPR to revive the drowning victim.

💡 Simply: Imagine someone fell asleep and you splash water on their face to wake them up. Revive is like doing that, but it could be for a plant, a business, or someone who’s really, really sleepy (or unconscious!).

👶 For kids: To make something or someone alive again!

More Examples

2

The gardener watered the wilted plant to revive it.

3

The company launched a new marketing campaign to revive its declining sales.

4

After a short nap, I felt revived and ready to finish the project.

How It's Used

Medical

"The paramedics worked tirelessly to revive the patient."

General

"The doctor managed to revive him after he collapsed."

2

To bring back into use or prominence; to restore something to a former state or condition; renew.

/rɪˈvaɪv/

verbneutralmedium
General

To restore to activity, use, or effect; renew.

They're trying to revive the old tradition of storytelling.

💡 Simply: Imagine an old toy you used to love, but it's been in the attic. Revive means to bring it back out, maybe clean it up, and play with it again. It’s like giving something a second life!

👶 For kids: To make something useful again!

More Examples

2

The government is trying to revive the economy after the recession.

3

She decided to revive her childhood hobby of painting.

4

The new law seeks to revive the old trade policies.

How It's Used

Business

"The company is trying to revive its flagging brand image."

History

"The museum is attempting to revive interest in historical artifacts."

Tip:Think of *reviving* a forgotten memory; it *reawakens* your interest.

Idioms & expressions

revive a memory

To bring back a past experience or thought to one's mind.

"The old photograph helped me revive a memory of my childhood."

revive a relationship

To mend or improve a strained relationship.

"They decided to go on a trip to revive their relationship."

From Middle French *revivre* (to live again), from Latin *re-*, meaning "again," + *vivere*, meaning "to live."

The word 'revive' has been used since the 14th century and originally referred to physical restoration, and later its metaphorical application expanded to include mental and emotional states.

Memory tip

Think of a *revival* tent; it *revives* faith and hope.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"re- (again) + vivere (to live)"

revive a patientrevive a memoryrevive an interestrevive the economyrevive a tradition

Common misspellings

reviveerevives

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written