re-elect
B2Formal, political
Definition
Meaning
To elect someone again to the same position, typically in a political context.
To choose or vote for someone to continue in a role they previously held, often implying endorsement of their performance or policies.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a prior election and the act of choosing the same person or party again; often associated with democratic processes and incumbency.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, it is standardly hyphenated as 're-elect', while in American English, it is commonly written as 'reelect' without a hyphen, though both forms are accepted in each variety.
Connotations
Similar in both; conveys continuity, trust, or approval from the electorate.
Frequency
Equally frequent in political discourse in both British and American English, particularly during election cycles.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + re-elect + ObjectBe + re-elected + as + PositionRe-elect + for + a termVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “re-elect by a landslide”
- “re-elect against the odds”
- “re-elect with a mandate”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in corporate governance when shareholders re-elect board members during annual meetings.
Academic
Employed in political science research to analyze incumbency advantage and electoral behavior.
Everyday
Common in news reports and conversations about elections, e.g., discussing local or national politics.
Technical
Found in legal and electoral documents detailing procedures for consecutive terms in office.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council plans to re-elect the mayor next month.
American English
- Voters will reelect the senator in the fall elections.
adjective
British English
- The re-elected MP gave a speech in Parliament.
American English
- The reelected governor announced a new initiative.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She was re-elected as the school captain.
- The committee voted to re-elect the chairperson for another year.
- Despite the challenges, the president was re-elected with a clear majority.
- The party's grassroots campaign successfully re-elected its candidates across the region.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember 're-' means 'again', so re-elect simply means 'elect again'.
Conceptual Metaphor
Re-election as a renewal of trust or a mandate from the people.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid over-literal translation; use 'переизбрать' appropriately in context.
- Ensure correct verb aspects and tenses, as English uses simple past for completed actions like 're-elected'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'reelect' in British English without a hyphen.
- Using incorrect prepositions, e.g., 're-elect to' instead of 're-elect as'.
- Confusing with 'reappoint', which applies to appointed roles, not elected ones.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 're-elect'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in American English, it is often written as 'reelect' without a hyphen, while British English prefers the hyphenated form 're-elect'.
Yes, it can apply to any elected position, such as in clubs, organizations, or corporate boards.
In British English, it is 're-elected', and in American English, it is commonly 'reelected'.
'Re-elect' refers to choosing someone through a vote for an elected position, while 'rehire' involves employing someone again in a job, typically without an election.