Re-

A prefix, 're-' indicates repetition, renewal, reversal, or an action done again. It derives from the Latin 're-', meaning 'again' or 'back.' This versatile prefix fundamentally alters the meaning of the base word, signaling a return to a previous state, the doing of something anew, or a mirroring of an original action. It can be attached to verbs, nouns, and adjectives, subtly shifting their nuance. The key concept is the reiteration or return, whether literal or metaphorical, offering a critical layer of meaning to the root word.

Re- meaning with examples

• The artist decided to **repaint** the entire mural after a critical review. This indicates that the artist will paint the mural again. Similarly, **rewrite** is used when a document needs to be changed. He planned to **re-enter** the house once he remembered his keys and a soldier might **redeploy** to a battle zone.
• After a period of quiet, the economy **rebounded**, recovering from its decline. The students were given a chance to **retake** their exams. The company decided to **rebrand** its image after a series of setbacks. The team would **rematch** their rivals from the previous season.
• The archaeologist decided to **reconstruct** the ancient building using old photographs and blueprints. When he saw a mistake, the editor chose to **re-edit** the article. The computer user had to **reboot** his computer because of a system error. The author had to **revise** his book for a second edition.
• She tried to **reconsider** her decision after talking to her friend. The detective had to **reexamine** the evidence at the crime scene. The children were instructed to **recreate** the scene from their history lessons in the school play and the doctor decided to **reassess** the patients' condition.