reinvest: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Semi-formal
Quick answer
What does “reinvest” mean?
To invest money, effort, or resources again, especially profits earned from an initial investment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To invest money, effort, or resources again, especially profits earned from an initial investment.
To put something back into a system, activity, or oneself to generate further benefit, growth, or development.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Minor spelling preferences in derivatives (e.g., BrE 'reinvestment' vs. AmE 'reinvestment' or 're-investment').
Connotations
Equally neutral/conceptual in both, with strong financial/business core.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in AmE business media due to capital market discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “reinvest” in a Sentence
[Subject] reinvests [Object] in [Goal][Subject] reinvests [Object] [Adverbial Phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reinvest” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The firm plans to reinvest its substantial dividends.
- They were advised to reinvest the capital gains to defer tax.
American English
- The company will reinvest all proceeds into expansion.
- Smart investors automatically reinvest their dividends.
adjective
British English
- The reinvestment strategy proved highly successful.
- A non-reinvestable bond was less attractive.
American English
- The reinvestment plan was approved by shareholders.
- They opted for the reinvestable option in their 401(k).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The board decided to reinvest 80% of the annual profits into R&D.
Academic
The model assumes that all capital depreciation is reinvested.
Everyday
He reinvested the prize money into his own education.
Technical
The algorithm reinvests simulated trading profits to compound returns.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reinvest”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reinvest”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reinvest”
- Incorrect: 'They decided to reinvest again' (redundant). Correct: 'They decided to reinvest.'
- Incorrect preposition: 'reinvest on the company'. Correct: 'reinvest in the company'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its primary use is financial, it is commonly used metaphorically for time, energy, effort, or emotions (e.g., 'reinvest in a relationship').
'Invest' is the initial allocation of resources. 'Reinvest' specifically means to invest again, typically gains (like profits or dividends) from a prior investment.
Rarely. It is typically a transitive verb (e.g., 'reinvest profits'). In passive or context-heavy sentences, the object may be implied but is still conceptually present.
Yes, though less common in modern usage. Most standard dictionaries list it as a solid word 'reinvest'. The hyphenated form is sometimes used for clarity in formal writing.
To invest money, effort, or resources again, especially profits earned from an initial investment.
Reinvest is usually formal / semi-formal in register.
Reinvest: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːɪnˈvɛst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriːɪnˈvɛst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Plough profits back into the business (BrE)”
- “Plow the gains back (AmE)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think RE-INVEST: you invest AGAIN (RE-) to get MORE.
Conceptual Metaphor
GROWTH IS A CYCLICAL REINVESTMENT OF RESOURCES.
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, 'reinvest' can best be applied to: