reconnect: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral (used in both formal and informal contexts)
Quick answer
What does “reconnect” mean?
to establish a connection again.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to establish a connection again; to join or link something again after a break.
To restore communication, relationship, or interaction; to feel a sense of belonging or understanding again, often with people, places, or one's own thoughts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling remains the same. Minor preference in British English for hyphenation in some formal writing ('re-connect'), though solid form is dominant in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in technical/IT contexts. Equal frequency in social/emotional contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “reconnect” in a Sentence
[Subject] reconnects [Object] to/with [Indirect Object][Subject] reconnects with [Object][Subject] reconnects [Object] (e.g., The cable reconnects automatically.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reconnect” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After the outage, we must reconnect the router.
- She hoped to reconnect with her old university friends during the reunion.
- The train carriages will automatically reconnect at the next station.
American English
- You'll need to reconnect to the VPN after the update.
- He took a sabbatical to reconnect with his family.
- The app will try to reconnect if the signal is lost.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in IT for restoring network services ('The technician will reconnect the server') and in HR for employee engagement ('We aim to reconnect remote staff with company culture').
Academic
Used in psychology and sociology to discuss restoring social bonds or reintegrating into communities.
Everyday
Commonly used for personal relationships ('Let's reconnect over coffee'), and for everyday tech ('I need to reconnect the Wi-Fi').
Technical
Standard term in computing, networking, and electrical engineering for re-establishing a data or power link.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reconnect”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reconnect”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reconnect”
- Using 'reconnect' without the necessary prior connection context (e.g., 'I connected with him' vs. *'I reconnected with him' when meeting for the first time).
- Misspelling as 'reconect'.
- Using the wrong preposition (e.g., 'reconnect to a friend' is less common than 'reconnect with a friend').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Connect' means to join or link for the first time. 'Reconnect' specifically means to re-establish a connection that previously existed but was lost or broken.
Yes, it's very commonly used figuratively for relationships, emotions, and ideas (e.g., 'reconnect with nature', 'reconnect with your goals').
It is neutral. It is appropriate in both formal technical reports and informal conversation.
The most common noun is 'reconnection' (e.g., 'the reconnection of services', 'an emotional reconnection').
to establish a connection again.
Reconnect: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːkəˈnɛkt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrikəˈnɛkt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Reconnect with your roots”
- “Reconnect the dots”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a train REaching a junction to CONNECT its carriages again. RE + CONNECT = to CONNECT a second time (RE).
Conceptual Metaphor
RELATIONSHIPS ARE CONNECTIONS (Wires, bridges, threads). Therefore, restoring a relationship is RE-CONNECTING the wires.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'reconnect' used CORRECTLY?