Words of Positivity
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Refurbish

v.capable, hopefulprofessional

What it means

To repair, clean, and update something so it is useful and attractive again.

Reach for it when renewing an existing object or building without replacing it

Volunteers refurbished the donated laptops for adult learners.

Choose between these

6
  • playful

    revamp

    a noticeable modern update is intended

    not when Revamp can imply radical redesign.

  • playful

    spruce up

    small cosmetic improvement is enough

    not when Sprucing up understates repairs.

  • warm

    renew

    fresh usefulness is the broad point

    not when Renew does not name the work involved.

  • professional

    recondition

    equipment returns to reliable operation

    not when Reconditioning prioritizes function over appearance.

  • professional

    renovate

    a building receives substantial renewal

    not when Renovation may include structural work.

  • formal

    restore

    a valued earlier condition is recovered

    not when Restoration may avoid modern updates.

Said against

3
  • neglect
  • discard
  • damage

It naturally appears in

3
  • refurbish a building

    The council will refurbish a building for youth clubs.

  • fully refurbished

    The fully refurbished camera worked like new.

  • refurbish old furniture

    Apprentices refurbish old furniture in the training shop.

Where this comes from

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.