renewal
ri-NYOO-ul
/rɪˈnjuːəl/
The instance of resuming something after an interruption; the act of making something new or fresh again.
In the context of anniversaries, it specifically refers to 'vow renewal'—reaffirming marriage promises.
The story behind the word. A combination of the Latin prefix 're-' (again) and the Old English 'neowe' (new). It is a hybrid word that perfectly captures the act of making the old feel new once more.
Word relationships
- restoration: Restoration implies fixing something broken; renewal implies bringing fresh energy to something existing.
- termination: The act of ending something completely.
Commonly confused with
- renovation: Renovation usually refers to physical buildings; renewal is used for contracts, vows, and spirits.
Word family
- renew (verb): To make something new again.
- renewable (adjective): Capable of being renewed.
Collocations
- vow renewal
- urban renewal
- renewal of a contract
Example sentences
- "The couple celebrated their silver anniversary with a beautiful vow renewal ceremony on the beach." Marking a 25th anniversary.
- "Spring is a time of renewal for both nature and the human spirit." A general sense of starting over.
Memory hook
Re-New-Al: The act of making it New Again. Making it new again.
When not to use
Don't use it for the very first time something happens; it must be a repeat or a restoration.
Fun facts
- Vow renewal ceremonies have no legal status; they are purely sentimental and symbolic.
Related words
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.