rewire: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral, leaning slightly technical. Common in literal electrical contexts and increasingly used in figurative/metaphorical contexts (e.g., psychology, tech, business).
Quick answer
What does “rewire” mean?
To replace or repair the electrical wiring of (something).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To replace or repair the electrical wiring of (something).
To fundamentally alter the way something is organized or the way someone thinks or behaves; to restructure neural pathways through learning or experience.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation follow general BrE/AmE patterns. The word is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. The figurative sense is widely understood in global English.
Frequency
Similar frequency. Possibly slightly higher literal frequency in AmE due to DIY culture references.
Grammar
How to Use “rewire” in a Sentence
[Subject] rewires [Object] (e.g., We rewired the cottage).[Subject] rewires [Object] [Adverbial] (e.g., Therapy helped rewire his brain for positivity).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rewire” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The landlord is legally required to rewire the flat every 25 years.
- Meditation can help rewire habitual stress responses.
American English
- We had to rewire the old farmhouse to handle air conditioning.
- The training program is designed to rewire how sales teams approach clients.
adverb
British English
- Not standard. Use 'by rewiring' or similar constructions.
American English
- Not standard. Use 'by rewiring' or similar constructions.
adjective
British English
- The rewired alarm system is now fully operational.
- He underwent a period of rewired thinking after the retreat.
American English
- The rewired studio has USB outlets in every wall.
- Her rewired perspective led to more creative solutions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The new CEO aims to rewire the company's outdated decision-making processes." (Figurative: restructure)
Academic
"Neuroplasticity research shows how learning can rewire neural circuits." (Figurative: alter brain function)
Everyday
"We had to rewire the entire kitchen after the fuse box blew." (Literal)
Technical
"The electrician will rewire the circuit to meet the new safety standards." (Literal)
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rewire”
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rewire”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rewire”
- Misspelling as 'rewier' or 're-wire' (the hyphen is generally not used in modern English).
- Using it for simple repairs: 'rewire a lamp' usually means replacing all its internal wiring, not just fixing a loose connection.
- Overusing the figurative sense in inappropriate, non-systemic contexts (e.g., 'I rewired my hairstyle' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary and literal meaning relates to electrical wiring, it is very commonly used figuratively to mean restructuring any complex system, especially neural pathways in the brain or organizational processes.
'Repair' means to fix something that is broken. 'Rewire' is more specific and extensive; it means to install a new set of wires, often as part of an upgrade or complete replacement, not just a simple fix.
Rarely. The standard noun form is 'rewiring' (e.g., 'The rewiring of the house took two weeks'). 'Rewire' itself is almost exclusively a verb.
It is neutral and accepted in formal contexts like academic writing (e.g., neuroscience, management) due to its vivid metaphorical precision. It is not considered slang.
To replace or repair the electrical wiring of (something).
Rewire: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈwaɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriˈwaɪɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To rewire your brain (common metaphorical idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an old house getting a new electrical system: RE-doing the WIRE-ing = REWIRE. For the figurative sense, imagine your brain's thoughts as wires; learning a new skill creates new connections, 'rewiring' it.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND/BRAIN/ORGANIZATION IS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT. Change in thinking or structure is REPLACING WIRING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'rewire' MOST likely figurative?