rejuvenesce: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “rejuvenesce” mean?
to make young or youthful again.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to make young or youthful again; to renew.
to restore to a state of vitality, freshness, or vigor; often used metaphorically for systems, organizations, or ideas.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to appear in British literary contexts, but extremely rare in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both; marginally more attestations in historical American scientific texts.
Grammar
How to Use “rejuvenesce” in a Sentence
[Subject] rejuvenesces [Object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rejuvenesce” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The treatment aimed to rejuvenesce the damaged tissues.
- He sought the philosopher's stone to rejuvenesce the ageing king.
American English
- The new policy was designed to rejuvenesce the stagnant industry.
- Researchers studied the compound's ability to rejuvenesce senescent cells.
adjective
British English
- The rejuvenescent properties of the spring were legendary.
American English
- They were searching for a rejuvenescent formula.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rarely used in biological or literary studies.
Everyday
Extremely uncommon; 'rejuvenate' is overwhelmingly preferred.
Technical
Possible in specialized biology/gerontology texts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rejuvenesce”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rejuvenesce”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rejuvenesce”
- Using it transitively without an object (incorrect: 'The forest rejuvenesced.' Correct: 'The rains rejuvenesced the forest.'), Confusing it with the much more common 'rejuvenate'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in meaning, but 'rejuvenesce' is far more rare, formal, and often implies a more literal, biological renewal.
It is primarily a transitive verb (needs an object). Intransitive use is archaic and incorrect in modern English.
It is almost exclusively a verb. The related adjective is 'rejuvenescent'.
For active use, no. Learn 'rejuvenate' instead. Knowing 'rejuvenesce' is only for advanced recognition, particularly in historical or scientific literature.
to make young or youthful again.
Rejuvenesce is usually formal/literary in register.
Rejuvenesce: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːdʒuːvəˈnɛs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriːdʒuːvəˈnɛs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The spring rain seemed to rejuvenesce the entire valley.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE (again) + JUVEN (young, as in 'juvenile') + ESCE (become, as in 'convalesce') = to become young again.
Conceptual Metaphor
YOUTH IS A FLUID THAT CAN BE REPLENISHED.
Practice
Quiz
Which word is the closest, more common synonym for 'rejuvenesce'?