recreate

recreate — verb

1. to produce a version of something from an earlier time, so that people can see,

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to produce a version of something from an earlier time, so that people can see, experience, or do it once more — for example, rebuilding a historical street, or using old photos to bring back the look of an earlier time.

例句

The museum recreated a Ming-dynasty street in the exhibition hall.

recreate + object (a historical scene)

Using old photographs, the team recreated the look of the 1920s shop.

同義詞
  • reproduce

    focuses on making a copy that is very close to the original; less about the act of creation

  • reconstruct

    suggests rebuilding something that was damaged or lost using evidence or parts

  • re-enact

    specifically about performing or staging a past event again

反義詞
  • destroy

    to break something so it no longer exists

文法句型

recreate + object (a scene, atmosphere, look, etc.)

用法筆記

Sometimes written with a hyphen (re-create) to distinguish this meaning from the leisure sense (sense 2). Frequent objects include 'a scene', 'the atmosphere', 'the look of', and 'an experience'.

常見錯誤

❌The chef recreated a brand-new dish for the menu.
✅The chef created a brand-new dish for the menu.
💡'recreate' means to make something that already existed again, not to invent something new.
❌The children recreated by playing in the yard.' (when you mean they relaxed)
✅The children recreated by playing in the yard.
💡This actually is correct for sense 2 (leisure), but if the writer means sense 1 (making a game again), the sentence may confuse the reader.

2. to spend your free time doing things you enjoy, especially as a way to rest and

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to spend your free time doing things you enjoy, especially as a way to rest and feel good after work or study.

例句

At the weekend, Zuri's family recreated by hiking in the nearby hills.

recreate by + [activity]

Nikhil recreated with his friends at the beach on Saturday afternoon.

recreate with [person]

同義詞
  • relax

    more general and common; does not specifically suggest an activity

  • unwind

    informal; suggests releasing tension after stress

  • play

    informal; suggests active, fun activities, often but not always for children

反義詞
  • work

    to spend time doing paid or necessary tasks

文法句型

recreate by [activity]

recreate with [person/group]

ways to recreate

用法筆記

This sense is less common in everyday speech than synonyms like 'relax' or 'unwind'. It appears more frequently in formal writing about tourism, leisure studies, or lifestyle magazines. Always intransitive — you do not 'recreate something' in this sense.

常見錯誤

❌I need time to recreate myself after work.' (sounding like sense 3)
✅I need time to recreate after work.
💡In sense 2, 'recreate' is intransitive; don't add a direct object like 'myself' unless you mean sense 3 (refresh).

3. to make someone feel full of energy and life again after they have become tired,

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make someone feel full of energy and life again after they have become tired, weak, or worn out — for example, how a good rest can restore your strength.

例句

A short walk in the forest recreated Eitan and cleared his mind.

inanimate subject + recreate + person

The spa treatment recreated Anna's tired muscles after the long flight.

同義詞
  • refresh

    less formal and more common; often used for energy, memory, or appearance

  • revive

    suggests bringing back from a very weak or unconscious state

  • rejuvenate

    suggests making someone look or feel younger and more energetic

反義詞
  • exhaust

    to make someone extremely tired

文法句型

recreate + person (direct object)

feel/look recreated

用法筆記

This sense is noticeably more formal and literary than the other two. Frequently used in the passive or with verbs like 'feel' and 'look'. The context usually involves nature, rest, or therapeutic treatments. Distinguish from sense 1 — in sense 1 you recreate something external (a scene), in sense 3 you recreate a person (restoring their energy).

常見錯誤

❌She recreated after a long day by watching TV.' (intransitive, sounds like sense 2)
✅She felt recreated after a long soak in the bath.
💡Sense 3 needs a direct object or the passive form; the leisure sense (2) is intransitive.