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reborn

A2
Fairly common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /rɪbˈɔːn/

US

  • /ˈriˈbɔrn/

Meanings

Adjective

  1. revived, renewed, or given a fresh new form

  2. spiritually born again or renewed in religious faith

Beyond the definition

To be "reborn" means to go through a strong renewal or change, like being born again, though usually not in a literal sense. A city might seem "reborn" after major repairs, or a person might feel reborn after getting through a hard time. It suggests a fresh start and a lively new beginning. Think of a phoenix rising from the ashes: that is rebirth.

The word often has a spiritual meaning, referring to a spiritual awakening or conversion. However, it is also used in everyday contexts to describe something greatly improved or brought back to life. A classic car carefully restored might be described as "reborn," and an old idea, updated for modern times, can be seen as ready for a new generation.

Examples

  1. 1

    Urban renewal

    After years of neglect, the old neighborhood looks reborn.

  2. 2

    Media format

    The newspaper was reborn as a digital magazine.

    • Patternreborn as + new form

      existing again in a new form

  3. 3

    Popular culture

    The classic song was reborn for a younger audience after it went viral online.

  4. 4

    Fantasy fiction

    In the novel, the hero is reborn in another world with all his memories.

More examples
  1. 5

    Spiritual feeling

    After the retreat, she said she felt spiritually reborn.

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • reborn as
  • reborn from the ashes
  • a reborn city

Word family

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Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • rebornadjective