WordGarden.ioreawaken
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈiːweɪkən/
US
- /ˌriəˈweɪkən/
Meanings
Verb
to bring back a feeling, desire, or strong interest that had faded
to make someone aware again of something or bring a memory back vividly
to wake up again from sleep or make someone do so
Beyond the definition
Just as Sleeping Beauty wakes after a kiss, something that has been quiet or inactive can "reawaken" when it comes to life again. It means more than simply waking up. It often describes the return of something that seemed gone, such as feelings, memories, interest, or hope. A skill that was unused for years might reawaken, or a sense of community might reawaken after a hard time.
Think of a garden in winter: quiet on the surface, but ready to grow again in spring. Or think of a love that has faded and starts to grow again through shared experiences. The word often carries a feeling of hope, because it suggests that something important or beautiful is coming back.
To reawaken means to wake up again after a period of sleep or inactivity, but it goes beyond simply regaining consciousness. It implies a revival of something that was dormant—feelings, memories, passions, or even entire communities. It suggests bringing something back to life, restoring its energy and vitality.
You might say a long-lost memory reawakened when you caught a familiar scent, triggering a flood of emotions from your childhood. Or perhaps a sense of purpose reawakened after a period of disillusionment, inspiring you to pursue a new path.
"Reawaken" isn't limited to personal experiences either. It can describe broader societal shifts: "The recent protests have reawakened the nation's conscience about social injustice." It suggests a collective stirring, a renewed awareness, and a demand for change.
The prefix "re-" signifies doing something again, emphasizing that this is not a first awakening but a return to a previous state of being. It's often used in contexts where there's a sense of loss or dormancy followed by a hopeful restoration. Think of the phoenix rising from the ashes—a powerful image of something reawakened and reborn.
So, whether it is a personal feeling, a forgotten skill, or a societal movement, to reawaken is to bring back to life, to renew, and to stir something that was once lost back into vibrant existence.
Examples
- 1
Childhood memories
A visit to his old school reawakened childhood memories.
- 2
Music interest
The workshop reawakened her interest in music.
- Patternreawaken interest in + topic/activity
make someone interested in it again
- 3
Old feelings
His apology reawakened feelings she had tried to ignore.
- 4
Public concern
The accident reawakened public concern about rail safety.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Confidence
After a few small successes, her confidence began to reawaken.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- reawaken interest
- reawaken memories
- reawaken hopes
- reawaken a desire
Word family
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Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- reawakenverb
Forms
- reawakening-ing formverb
- reawakenedpast tenseverb
- reawakensverb