First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
restore
verb re·store \ri-ˈstȯr\
: to give back (someone or something that was lost or taken) : to return (someone or something)
: to put or bring (something) back into existence or use
: to return (something) to an earlier or original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc.
re·storedre·stor·ing
Full Definition of RESTORE
transitive verb
2
: to put or bring back into existence or use
3
: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state : renew
4
: to put again in possession of something
— re·stor·er noun
See restore defined for English-language learners
See restore defined for kids
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Origin of RESTORE
Middle English, from Anglo-French restorer, from Latin restaurare to renew, rebuild, alteration of instaurare to renew
Related to RESTORE
- Synonyms
- freshen, recharge, recreate, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, rejuvenate, repair, renew, resuscitate, revitalize, revive, revivify
Synonym Discussion of RESTORE
renew, restore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate mean to make like new. renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new <efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle>. restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss <restored a fine piece of furniture>. refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power <a refreshing drink>. renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding <the apartment has been entirely renovated>. rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance <the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits>.
Rhymes with RESTORE
abhor, adore, afore, and/or, as for, ashore, backdoor, bailor, bandore, Bangor, bedsore, before, bezoar, bookstore, box score, but for, call for, candor, captor, centaur, chain store, claymore, closed-door, cold sore, cold store, condor, Côte d'Or, decor, deplore, dime-store, Dior, done for, donor, downpour, drugstore, Dutch door, encore, ephor, explore, eyesore, fall for, feoffor, fetor, Fillmore, first floor, flexor, folklore, footsore, foreshore, fourscore, French door, full-bore, Gabor, galore, Glen More, go for, ground floor, gun for, hard-core, hog score, ichor, ignore, implore, Indore, indoor, in for, inshore, in-store, Kotor, Lahore, lakeshore, lector, lee shore, lessor, line score, look for, Luxor, memoir, mentor, Mysore, nearshore, Nestor, next-door, offshore, onshore, outdoor, outpour, phosphor, psywar, rancor, rapport, raptor, raw score, Realtor, rhetor, savior, seafloor, seashore, sector, seignior, Senghor, senhor, sensor, settlor, Seymour, signor, smoothbore, s'more, soft-core, sophomore, stand for, stentor, stertor, storm door, Strathmore, stressor, stridor, subfloor, swear for, Tagore, take for, temblor, tensor, therefor, therefore, threescore, Timor, trapdoor, turgor, uproar, vendor, what's more, wherefore, wild boar, woodlore, z-score
RESTORED Defined for Kids
restore
verb re·store \ri-ˈstȯr\
re·storedre·stor·ing
Definition of RESTORE for Kids
1
: to put or bring back to an earlier or original state
2
: to put back into use or service <Power has been restored.>
3
: to give back <Police restored the stolen car to its owner.>
Medical Dictionary
restore
transitive verb re·store \ri-ˈstō(ə)r, -ˈstȯ(ə)r\
re·storedre·stor·ing
Medical Definition of RESTORE
: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state <a tooth restored with an inlay>
Learn More About RESTORE
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Next Word in the Dictionary: restorementPrevious Word in the Dictionary: restoratorAll Words Near: restore
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