regenerate
regenerate — verb
- regeneratepresent simple I / you / we / they
- regenerateshe / she / it
- regeneratedpast simple
- regenerating-ing form
1. to give new strength, energy, or success to a city, area, organization, or syste
to give new strength, energy, or success to a city, area, organization, or system — for example, by rebuilding old buildings, attracting new businesses, or improving public services.
The city council plans to regenerate the old docklands with new flats and shops.
regenerate [area] + with [improvements]
Government grants helped regenerate the town's historic centre after decades of decline.
passive: be regenerated by [funding]
The new railway line is expected to regenerate the local economy by bringing more tourists.
Community groups worked together to regenerate a run-down housing estate into a lively neighbourhood.
- revitalise
more common and slightly less formal; focuses on giving new energy rather than physical rebuilding
- renew
broader meaning; can apply to everyday things like contracts or subscriptions
- renovate
narrower; focuses on physical repair and modernisation of buildings only
文法句型
regenerate + noun phrase
用法筆記
Subject is typically a government body, organisation, or policy. Frequently used with nouns like 'economy', 'area', 'city centre', or 'community'.
常見錯誤
2. to produce new cells, organs, or limbs that replace those that have been harmed,
to produce new cells, organs, or limbs that replace those that have been harmed, removed, or destroyed — for instance, when a lizard grows its tail back or a person's wound heals without a scar.
A starfish can regenerate a lost arm if its central body remains undamaged.
transitive: regenerate + body part
The doctor said that Sofia's liver would regenerate within a few months after the surgery.
Some types of flatworm can regenerate into two complete organisms when cut in half.
Scientists are studying how zebrafish can regenerate damaged heart muscle without scarring.
The lizard's tail slowly regenerated over several weeks until it reached full length again.
- degenerate
to decline in quality or function; the opposite of regrowing or restoring
文法句型
regenerate + noun phrase (transitive)
noun phrase + regenerates (intransitive)
用法筆記
Intransitive use typically describes the body part as the subject ('the tail regenerated'). Transitive use describes the organism as the subject and the part as object ('the lizard regenerated its tail').
常見錯誤
3. to change someone's character for the better by helping them leave behind harmfu
to change someone's character for the better by helping them leave behind harmful habits or past wrongdoing, especially through religious faith, moral guidance, or rehabilitation programs.
The prison programme aims to regenerate inmates through education, counselling, and job training.
The preacher taught that sincere faith could regenerate even the most hardened criminal.
formal register: regenerate + person morally
After years of addiction, Raj found a community that helped regenerate his sense of purpose.
The retreat was designed to regenerate participants spiritually through meditation and volunteer work.
- reform
more general; focuses on changing behaviour rather than inner character
- redeem
stronger religious connotation; suggests saving someone from sin or error
- rehabilitate
more neutral; often used for restoring someone to society after prison or illness
- corrupt
to make someone morally bad; the opposite of moral renewal
文法句型
regenerate + noun phrase (person)
用法筆記
Often carries religious overtones, especially in Christian contexts describing spiritual rebirth. In secular use, it overlaps with 'rehabilitate' but emphasises inner character change rather than external behaviour.
常見錯誤
regenerate — adjective
- regeneratepositive
- more regeneratecomparative
- most regeneratesuperlative
1. having been formed or created once more after a period of being absent or destro
having been formed or created once more after a period of being absent or destroyed; existing again in a new or restored state.
The regenerated ice sheet covered the northern lake by early January after the thaw.
'regenerated [noun]' — attributive adjective for re-formed things
The regenerated soil on the former site was rich enough to support a vegetable garden.
After the forest fire, a regenerated layer of bark protected the surviving trees.
The regenerated coral reef drew many colourful fish within just two years.
- re-formed
identical meaning but more transparent; often hyphenated
- dissolved
broken apart or disappeared rather than re-formed
用法筆記
This sense is rare in everyday English and appears mainly in technical or scientific descriptions of geological, environmental, or structural re-formation.
2. having experienced a spiritual or moral transformation that leads to a new way o
having experienced a spiritual or moral transformation that leads to a new way of living, especially in a religious context where a person is considered born again in faith.
The regenerated congregation welcomed new members with a renewed sense of purpose.
After the year-long rehabilitation programme, Liam described himself as a regenerated man.
predicative use: [be] + regenerated
The regenerated members of the group shared their personal stories of change at the meeting.
Lucia joined a church for regenerated believers who wanted to rebuild their lives.
- born-again
more colloquial; strongly associated with evangelical Christianity
- redeemed
theological term focusing on being saved from sin
- unregenerate
not spiritually changed; remaining in a sinful or unreformed state
用法筆記
Common in evangelical Christian theology ('the regenerated believer'). In secular use, it overlaps with 'reformed' or 'changed' but carries a stronger implication of inner rebirth.
3. brought back to a better, stronger, or more valuable condition than before, ofte
brought back to a better, stronger, or more valuable condition than before, often after a period of decay or damage.
The regenerated neighbourhood now attracts young families and independent shops.
The regenerated forest soil supported a much wider variety of native plant species.
attributive: regenerated + noun
The regenerated park includes a new lake, walking paths, and a large playground.
Farmers reported that the regenerated fields produced much larger harvests than before.
- degraded
having declined in quality or condition
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (RE-FORMED): sense 3 emphasises improvement to a better state, whereas sense 1 simply notes that something has formed again without implying improvement.
regenerate — noun
1. a person who has experienced a profound spiritual or moral transformation, espec
a person who has experienced a profound spiritual or moral transformation, especially after a period of wrongdoing, addiction, or loss of direction in life.
Each regenerate in the congregation shared a personal story of change during the Easter service.
countable noun: each regenerate — person who has changed morally
After years of struggling with addiction, Tariro became a regenerate and now mentors others on their path to recovery.
Regenerates from the rehabilitation programme meet every Saturday to support one another and share their progress.
The counsellor, himself a regenerate who had overcome addiction, understood each client's deepest struggles.
- convert
broader; can refer to changing religion or ideology without implying deep inner transformation
用法筆記
The countable noun form 'a regenerate' is formal and uncommon. It refers to the person themself rather than the process ('regeneration'). Often seen in religious or rehabilitation contexts where the transformation is the defining identity of the person.
2. a limb, organ, or piece of tissue that has grown back after being damaged, remov
a limb, organ, or piece of tissue that has grown back after being damaged, removed, or destroyed through the natural process of biological regeneration.
The lizard's tail regenerate was slightly smaller and a different shade from the original.
countable noun: tail regenerate — a regrown body part
Under the microscope, each nerve regenerate appeared healthy and well connected to the surrounding tissue.
Doctors examined the skin regenerate and confirmed the graft had healed without complications.
The zebrafish fin regenerate helped scientists understand how damaged heart tissue might be repaired.
用法筆記
In biology and medicine, 'a regenerate' refers to the regrown body part as a discrete entity, as opposed to the process ('regeneration') or the adjective form ('regenerated tissue'). This noun use is most common in specialised research contexts.