reimagine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2/C1Formal, Academic, Business, Creative Industries
Quick answer
What does “reimagine” mean?
To imagine something again, or in a new, different way.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To imagine something again, or in a new, different way; to rethink or reconceive.
To fundamentally reconsider and reshape a concept, product, service, or story with creativity and vision, often implying innovation or modernization of something existing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. Slightly more common in US business and tech jargon. No spelling variation.
Connotations
Both varieties carry positive connotations of innovation and forward-thinking.
Frequency
Moderately frequent in both, with a steady rise in use since the late 20th century.
Grammar
How to Use “reimagine” in a Sentence
[transitive] to reimagine something[transitive with object complement] to reimagine something as something elseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reimagine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The director sought to reimagine the classic novel for a contemporary audience.
- The council's plan aims to reimagine the high street as a community hub.
American English
- The tech company is trying to reimagine how we interact with our homes.
- We need to reimagine our approach to healthcare delivery.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for strategic pivots, product development, and branding (e.g., 'We need to reimagine our customer experience').
Academic
Used in critical theory, design studies, and futurology (e.g., 'The study reimagines urban space through a feminist lens').
Everyday
Less common, but used for personal projects or lifestyle changes (e.g., 'We're reimagining our garden this year').
Technical
Common in software/UI/UX design and architecture (e.g., 'Reimagining the user interface for accessibility').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reimagine”
- Using it for simple changes ('I reimagined my schedule' → better: 'reorganized'). Confusing with 'reinvent', which is more about creating a new identity rather than a new concept.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It specifically implies a creative, conceptual, and often fundamental rethinking, not just any alteration.
Yes, but it tends to sound formal or aspirational (e.g., 'reimagine your career path'). For everyday small changes, words like 'reorganise' or 'rethink' are more natural.
The most common noun is 'reimagining' (e.g., 'a radical reimagining of public transport').
It gained significant popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, particularly in business and creative fields, though its roots are older.
To imagine something again, or in a new, different way.
Reimagine is usually formal, academic, business, creative industries in register.
Reimagine: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːɪˈmædʒɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriɪˈmædʒɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this verb; it is often part of phrases like 'reimagine the future/wheel/possibilities'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RE' (again) + 'IMAGINE' (form a mental picture). You are forming a new mental picture of something.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISION/CREATION AS REBUILDING. The mind is a workshop where old ideas are dismantled and new ones constructed.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'reimagine' most appropriately?