redeemed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Religious, Financial
Quick answer
What does “redeemed” mean?
To have recovered ownership of something by paying a sum (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To have recovered ownership of something by paying a sum (e.g., a pawned item) OR to have saved or freed someone/something from sin, error, or a negative state.
To have compensated for the faults or bad aspects of something; to have made something acceptable or good despite its earlier flaws. Often used figuratively to mean 'made worthwhile'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. The financial sense (e.g., redeeming a voucher or bond) is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
The religious connotation (being saved from sin) is slightly stronger and more prevalent in American English due to higher visibility of evangelical discourse.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English overall, largely due to the prominence of the religious sense.
Grammar
How to Use “redeemed” in a Sentence
[subject] redeemed [object] (e.g., He redeemed the watch.)[subject] redeemed [object] from [source] (e.g., She redeemed him from despair.)[subject] redeemed [reflexive] (e.g., He redeemed himself with an apology.)[subject] be redeemed by [agent/action] (e.g., The film was redeemed by its stunning finale.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “redeemed” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She redeemed her jewellery from the pawnbroker.
- His brave act redeemed him in the eyes of his colleagues.
- The voucher can be redeemed at any participating retailer.
American English
- He redeemed the bond before its maturity date.
- The team redeemed itself in the second half of the game.
- You can redeem your reward points for gift cards.
adjective
British English
- He felt like a redeemed man after confessing.
- The redeemed vouchers are logged in this system.
- A story of a redeemed sinner.
American English
- She played the role of a redeemed criminal.
- The report listed all redeemed coupons.
- In his theology, all believers are redeemed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to the exchange of a coupon, voucher, bond, or loyalty points for goods, services, or cash.
Academic
Used in theology, literary criticism (e.g., 'a redeemed character arc'), and history (e.g., 'redeemed land from the swamp').
Everyday
Most commonly used to mean someone made up for a past mistake ("He redeemed himself") or to describe using a discount voucher.
Technical
In finance: converting an investment into cash. In theology: salvation from sin through divine intervention.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “redeemed”
- Incorrect: *"I redeemed my book from the library." (Use 'returned' or 'borrowed').
- Incorrect: *"The actor was very redeemed in that role." (Use 'redeeming' as an adjective, or rephrase: 'The actor's performance was redeeming.')
- Confusing 'redeemed' with 'reclaimed' in non-exchange contexts (e.g., reclaimed land vs. redeemed land).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, commonly. E.g., 'a redeemed character' means a character who has morally improved or atoned for past wrongs.
'Redeem' usually involves an exchange or payment to get something back or to improve a situation. 'Reclaim' means to retrieve or recover something without the strong implication of payment/atonement, often from neglect or a wild state (e.g., reclaim land from the sea).
No. While a core meaning is religious salvation, it is widely used in financial, retail, and everyday figurative contexts (e.g., redeeming a coupon, redeeming one's reputation).
A single good quality that makes something or someone acceptable, despite other bad qualities. E.g., 'The hotel was awful, but its location was its only redeeming feature.'
To have recovered ownership of something by paying a sum (e.
Redeemed is usually formal, religious, financial in register.
Redeemed: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈdiːmd/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈdiːmd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A redeemed villain”
- “Past redemption”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of RE-DEEMED: getting your DEED (or worth) BACK (RE-) after paying a price or making amends.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION / MORALITY IS ACCOUNTING (paying a debt, clearing a balance). GOOD IS UP / BAD IS DOWN (being lifted/raised from a low state).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'redeemed' used MOST metaphorically?