repurpose
Americanverb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of repurpose
First recorded in 1980–85; re- ( def. ) + purpose ( def. )
Explanation
When you repurpose somethingyou use it again in an entirely new way. You might decide to repurpose rinsed-out yogurt containers to grow flower seedlings on your windowsill. When you adapt anything to a new functionyou repurpose itfrom the newspaper you repurpose to line your hamster's cage to the old tablet your dad has repurposed for reading recipes in the kitchen while he cooks. In technologythis verb is often used for information that's used again in updated formats. The word first appeared around 1983from re-"anew," and purpose"to have as an objective or intention."
Vocabulary lists containing repurpose
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for May 7–May 132022
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for July 20–July 262025
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“They want data that they can repurpose: anything that’s going to have financial informationanything that’s going to have driver’s license information is going to be very valuable to them,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 222026
He worries that bad actors — be they individualsorganizations or countries — will repurpose technologies that were designed to help cure diseases or create new materials.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 112026
"Despite challenges with some existing hardwarethe agency will repurpose applicable equipment and leverage international partner commitments to support these objectives," he said.
From Barron's • Mar. 242026
Automakers and battery companies instead have rushed to repurpose EV battery plants to serve the fast-growing market in utility-scale energy storage.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 172026
“I just remember the classic Roach Motel slogan thatapparentlythe poster is attempting to repurpose for a Latinx audience. Catch you laterKojo!”
From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridgedbased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary© Random HouseInc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 200220011995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
