reenforce: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “reenforce” mean?
To strengthen or add support to something, especially an idea, feeling, or physical structure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To strengthen or add support to something, especially an idea, feeling, or physical structure.
A variant spelling of 'reinforce,' meaning to make something stronger by adding extra material or support; to strengthen a military unit; to increase the likelihood of a behavior by providing a consequence (psychology); to give added emphasis or validity to an argument or belief.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In both dialects, 'reenforce' is archaic. The modern standard spelling 'reinforce' is used universally. 'Reenforce' might be slightly more likely to appear in historical British military contexts but is not considered current in either variety.
Connotations
The 'reenforce' spelling may connote antiquity, a historical document, or an old-fashioned style. It can also be perceived as an error.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Corpus data shows 'reinforce' is the overwhelmingly dominant form (>99.9%).
Grammar
How to Use “reenforce” in a Sentence
[Subject] reenforces [Object] (e.g., The general reenforced the garrison.)[Subject] reenforces [Object] with [Instrument] (e.g., They reenforced the wall with steel beams.)[Object] is reenforced by [Agent] (e.g., His argument was reenforced by new data.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reenforce” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The commander decided to reenforce the northern flank before the assault.
- Historical records show they sought to reenforce the castle walls in 1643.
American English
- The general's order was to reenforce the garrison at Fort Henry.
- The study's findings reenforce the theory proposed a century ago.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Would use 'reinforce' (e.g., to reinforce brand values, to reinforce a team).
Academic
Rare, found only in historical quotations or discussions of older texts. Modern academia uses 'reinforce'.
Everyday
Virtually non-existent. Using it would likely be corrected to 'reinforce'.
Technical
Possible in historical engineering or military texts, but modern technical language uses 'reinforce'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reenforce”
- Using 'reenforce' in modern writing is itself a common mistake for 'reinforce'.
- Confusing with 'enforce' (to compel obedience to).
- Misspelling as 're-enforce' with a hyphen.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a historical variant of 'reinforce'. In modern writing, it is considered incorrect or archaic. You should always use 'reinforce'.
There is no difference in meaning. 'Reinforce' is the modern, standard spelling. 'Reenforce' is an older form that is no longer in common use.
No. Unless you are directly quoting a historical source or writing a period piece where archaic language is stylistically required, using 'reenforce' will likely be seen as a spelling error. Use 'reinforce'.
No. The standard pronunciation for both the archaic 'reenforce' and modern 'reinforce' is identical: /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs/ (UK) or /ˌriɪnˈfɔːrs/ (US).
To strengthen or add support to something, especially an idea, feeling, or physical structure.
Reenforce is usually formal, technical, literary in register.
Reenforce: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriɪnˈfɔːrs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'reenforce'; all apply to the modern 'reinforce' (e.g., 'reinforce the ranks', 'reinforce a stereotype').”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RE-' (again) + 'EN-' (cause to be) + 'FORCE' (strength) = to cause to be strong again. But remember the standard spelling drops the second 'E': REINFORCE.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRENGTH IS ADDITIVE MATERIAL (Adding troops to an army, adding steel to concrete). SUPPORT IS A FOUNDATION (Bolstering an argument).
Practice
Quiz
In contemporary English, which of the following is true about the word 'reenforce'?