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Refurbishing: meaning, definitions and examples

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refurbishing

 

[ rɪˈfɜrbɪʃɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

home improvement

Refurbishing refers to the process of cleaning, repairing, and updating something to restore its former glory. This can apply to furniture, buildings, or other objects that have lost their original appeal. The goal is not just to make the item look better, but also to enhance its functionality and extend its lifespan. Refurbishing often involves a combination of both aesthetic upgrades and practical repairs.

Synonyms

remodeling, renovating, restoring, upgrading

Examples of usage

  • We are refurbishing the old library to make it more inviting.
  • They spent the summer refurbishing their kitchen.
  • The company is refurbishing used electronics for resale.

Translations

Translations of the word "refurbishing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reforma

🇮🇳 पुनर्निर्माण

🇩🇪 Renovierung

🇮🇩 perbaikan

🇺🇦 ремонтування

🇵🇱 odnawianie

🇯🇵 改装

🇫🇷 rénovation

🇪🇸 renovación

🇹🇷 yenileme

🇰🇷 개조

🇸🇦 تجديد

🇨🇿 rekonstrukce

🇸🇰 rekonštrukcia

🇨🇳 翻新

🇸🇮 obnova

🇮🇸 endurnýjun

🇰🇿 жаңарту

🇬🇪 რენოვაცია

🇦🇿 təmir

🇲🇽 renovación

Etymology

The term 'refurbishing' stems from the prefix 're-', which means 'again' or 'back', combined with 'furbish', an English word meaning 'to brighten up' or 'to restore'. The word 'furbish' can be traced back to the Middle English word 'furbischen', which itself comes from the Old French 'forbir', derived from the Latin 'furbire'. This history reflects the evolution of the word from its roots in restoration and renewal. Refurbishing has become a common term not only in home improvement but also in industries such as electronics, where older products are updated for reuse. Over the years, the practice of refurbishing has gained popularity, driven by sustainability efforts, economic considerations, and the desire to maintain historical or aesthetic values in many contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,364 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.