renascence: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Literary/Academic
Quick answer
What does “renascence” mean?
The action or process of being reborn or revived.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action or process of being reborn or revived; a new birth.
A period of renewed interest, vitality, or artistic/intellectual achievement, often used to describe a cultural or spiritual revival.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'renaissance' is overwhelmingly more common for all meanings. 'Renascence' is a highly literary or archaic variant. In the US, it is also rare but is famously associated with the 'Harlem Renascence' (an alternative spelling of Harlem Renaissance) in some scholarly contexts.
Connotations
Both: Literary, scholarly, sometimes archaic. UK: May sound consciously poetic or dated. US: Can carry a specific historical reference to early 20th-century African-American cultural revival.
Frequency
Extremely low-frequency in both varieties. Corpus data shows 'renaissance' is thousands of times more common.
Grammar
How to Use “renascence” in a Sentence
[Subject] experience/undergo/witness a renascence of [Object][Subject] herald/mark a renascence in [Field]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “renascence” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The arts did not renasce in that period; they stagnated.
American English
- A hope that community spirit would renasce after the crisis.
adverb
British English
- The tradition emerged renascently from obscurity.
American English
- Interest in the craft grew renascently after the exhibition.
adjective
British English
- The renascent movement in poetry found few followers.
American English
- She felt a renascent optimism as spring arrived.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'The company's renascence under new leadership surprised the market.'
Academic
Used in history, literature, and cultural studies to discuss periods of revival, e.g., 'The Celtic Renascence in late 19th-century literature.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Not used in STEM fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “renascence”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “renascence”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “renascence”
- Misspelling as 'rennaissance' (double 'n').
- Using it where 'renaissance' (the historical period or a major revival) is intended.
- Pronouncing it /riːˈneɪsəns/ (with a long 'ee' sound).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Renaissance' (capitalised) primarily refers to the specific historical period in Europe. In lowercase, it means a major revival. 'Renascence' is a more general, often spiritual/literary term for any rebirth or revival and is much rarer.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. 'Renaissance' or 'revival' are almost always preferred in modern usage.
The verb 'renasce' exists but is extremely rare and considered archaic or highly literary. It is not recommended for general use.
Some scholars and historical sources use 'Renascence' as an alternative spelling for that specific cultural movement, though 'Renaissance' is the standard form.
The action or process of being reborn or revived.
Renascence is usually formal/literary/academic in register.
Renascence: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈneɪs(ə)ns/, and in American English it is pronounced /rəˈnæsəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A renascence of the spirit”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RENASCENCE' = 'RE' (again) + 'NASCENCE' (birth, from Latin 'nasci'). It's the state of being born again.
Conceptual Metaphor
CULTURAL/SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY IS A LIVING BEING (that can be reborn). A NATION/ART FORM IS A PHOENIX (rising from ashes).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'renascence' MOST appropriately used?