French word

rénover

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁenove/

Meaning

  • verbrenovate

Example

Nous allons rénover la cuisine cet été.

We are going to renovate the kitchen this summer.

Illustration for rénover (renovate)

More examples

Ils ont décidé de rénover l'appartement avant de le louer.

They decided to renovate the apartment before renting it.

Core concept

An old kitchen becomes sound, modern, and easier to use as its worn parts and equipment are replaced.

Common phrases

  • rénover une maison

    renovate a house

  • rénover un appartement

    renovate an apartment

  • rénover la salle de bain

    renovate the bathroom

Similar words

refaire: Redo the interior and equipment to make a space newer and more practical.
réparer: Put right small damage or faults so something works normally again.
retaper: Restore an old house or room to livable condition with basic work.

Definition in French

Entreprendre des travaux pour réparer, améliorer ou moderniser un bâtiment, une pièce ou ses installations.

Word origin

French rénover comes from Latin renovare, formed from re- ('again') and novare ('make new'), with the sense of making something new again.

Usage tips

  • In everyday French, refaire is often more natural than rénover for a room, as in refaire la cuisine.

Other meanings

  • refurbishverb
  • restoreverb

Opposites

Related words

  • rénovationrenovationnoun
  • rénovateurrenovation contractornoun
  • rénovérenovatedadjective

Word lists with this word