# renew

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɹɪˈnjuː/ · frequency rank #10,753

## Definitions
1. To make (something) new again; to restore to freshness or original condition.
2. To replace (something which has broken etc.); to replenish (something which has been exhausted), to keep up a required supply of.
3. To make new spiritually; to regenerate.
4. To become new, or as new; to revive.
5. To begin again; to recommence.
6. To repeat.
7. To extend a period of loan, especially a library book that is due to be returned.

## Etymology
From Middle English renewen, an alteration (possibly on analogy with Latin renovāre) of earlier anewen (“to renew”), from Old English nīewian (“to restore; renovate; renew”), equivalent to re- + new. Cognate with Old High German giniuwōn (“to renew”), Middle High German geniuwen (“to renew”), Old Norse nýja (“to renew”).

## Easily confused with
- **rent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/renew-vs-rent)
- **reno** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/renew-vs-reno)
- **rune** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/renew-vs-rune)
- **reset** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/renew-vs-reset)
- **Reyes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/renew-vs-reyes)
- **repel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/renew-vs-repel)
- **revel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/renew-vs-revel)
- **review** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/renew-vs-review)
- **rented** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/renew-vs-rented)
- **renown** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/renew-vs-renown)
- **renter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/renew-vs-renter)
- **renewal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/renew-vs-renewal)
- **ren** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ren-vs-renew)
- **ree** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ree-vs-renew)
- **reed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reed-vs-renew)
- **reef** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reef-vs-renew)
- **reel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reel-vs-renew)
- **Rene** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rene-vs-renew)
- **reek** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reek-vs-renew)
- **refer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refer-vs-renew)

## Common misspellings (7)
`ernew`, `reenw`, `reneww`, `rennew`, `renwe`, `rneew`, `rrenew`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/renew