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Renaissance

n. hopeful, joyful literary

What it means

A vigorous revival of art, learning, activity, or achievement after decline.

Reach for it when describing broad cultural renewal, with capitalization reserved for the historical period

The reopened studios sparked a renaissance in local printmaking.

Words to choose between 6

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom. Tap a word to see when it fits.
playful
everyday
warm
formal
literary

  • playful

    comeback

    Fits when popular return suits informal prose

    Careful Comeback can concern one person.

  • everyday

    revival

    Fits when activity or popularity returns

    Careful Revival can be narrow or brief.

  • warm

    renewal

    Fits when fresh strength develops

    Careful Renewal is milder than a renaissance.

  • formal

    resurgence

    Fits when activity rises strongly again

    Careful Resurgence may restore something harmful.

  • literary

    flowering

    Fits when creative achievement becomes abundant

    Careful Flowering need not follow decline.

  • literary

    rebirth

    Fits when new life after decline is emphasized

    Careful Rebirth can imply total discontinuity.

Opposites 3

  • decline
  • stagnation
  • collapse

Common phrases 3

  • cultural renaissance

    A cultural renaissance transformed the former factory district.

  • experience a renaissance

    Traditional crafts experience a renaissance through apprenticeships.

  • renaissance in interest

    The exhibition prompted a renaissance in interest in folk music.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated