born-again: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “born-again” mean?
Describing a person who has experienced a profound religious conversion, especially to evangelical Christianity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Describing a person who has experienced a profound religious conversion, especially to evangelical Christianity.
Describing a person who has adopted a new and enthusiastic belief in a cause, ideology, or lifestyle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The term is widely understood in both varieties due to cultural influence of American evangelicalism.
Connotations
In both, the religious sense is strongest. The figurative use is slightly more established in American English.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both, more common in contexts discussing religion, politics, or personal transformation.
Grammar
How to Use “born-again” in a Sentence
born-again + NOUN (e.g., born-again vegan)a born-again + NOUN (e.g., a born-again cyclist)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “born-again” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- After his heart attack, he became a born-again advocate for healthy living.
- The born-again campaigner protested outside the factory every week.
American English
- She's a born-again vegan and won't stop talking about it.
- His born-again conservatism surprised his liberal friends.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly 'born-again entrepreneur' after a failed venture.
Academic
Used in religious studies, sociology, and political science to describe conversion narratives.
Everyday
Common in figurative sense: 'He's a born-again gym-goer.'
Technical
Not a technical term outside theological discussion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “born-again”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “born-again”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “born-again”
- Using it as a verb (*I born-agained last year). It is only an adjective.
- Omitting the hyphen, which changes the meaning to a literal birth event followed by 'again'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its origin and most precise meaning is religious, it is very commonly used figuratively for anyone with a passionate new belief or hobby.
Figuratively, yes, but it works best with nouns denoting a person with a strong belief or identity (e.g., activist, fan, vegan). It sounds odd with objects (e.g., 'a born-again car').
The religious term is not offensive to those who use it themselves. Used figuratively, it can be slightly humorous or sarcastic, so context matters. It's best not to use it to describe someone's sincere religious conversion unless they use the term themselves.
A 'convert' has changed beliefs. 'Born-again' emphasizes the intense, transformative, and emotional experience of that change, implying a 'new life'. All born-again Christians are converts, but not all converts would call themselves born-again.
Describing a person who has experienced a profound religious conversion, especially to evangelical Christianity.
Born-again is usually informal, figurative in register.
Born-again: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɔːn əˈɡen/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɔːrn əˈɡen/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Born again by the spirit (religious)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a butterfly: it is 'born again' from a caterpillar into a new form with a new purpose.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPIRITUAL REBIRTH IS PHYSICAL REBIRTH / A NEW PASSION IS A NEW LIFE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'born-again' LEAST likely to be used figuratively?