re
re
Pronunciation
/ɹiː/
/ɹ/ - as in the "r" in "red"
/iː/ - as in the "ee" in "see"
Word Form Variations
"Re" is an interesting case because it's not a typical English word with standard singular and plural forms. It primarily functions in a few ways:
A Latin preposition: Meaning "concerning," "regarding," or "in the matter of." In this use, it doesn't have word form variations like singular or plural. It's simply "re." You might see it in legal or business contexts (e.g., "Re: Your recent inquiry").
A prefix: "Re-" is a very common prefix in English, meaning "again" or "back." When it's a prefix, it combines with a base word to form a new word (e.g., "redo," "rewrite," "return"). The word form variations (singular, plural, verb tenses, etc.) would then apply to the word formed with the prefix, not to "re-" itself. For example, for "redo":
Singular/Plural (noun): redo (uncommon as a noun) / redos
Verb forms: redo, redoes, redoing, redid, redone
A musical note: "Re" is the second note of the diatonic scale (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti, Do). In this context, it functions as a noun.
Singular: re
Plural: res (less common, but possible if referring to multiple instances of the note "re")
An abbreviation: Sometimes "re" can be an abbreviation for "real estate" or other terms, but this is less common and highly contextual. As an abbreviation, it wouldn't typically have word form variations.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
I. Prefix
(Meaning "again" or "anew"): Used to indicate repetition of an action, process, or state.
Synonyms: afresh, anew, again.
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a prefix, as it denotes an action. However, words implying cessation or undoing of the action could be considered conceptual opposites of the result).
(Meaning "back" or "backward"): Used to indicate a return to a previous state, a reversal, or an opposition.
Synonyms: backward, inverse, reverse.
Antonyms: forward, onward, progressive.
II. Preposition (Informal/Business/Legal)
(Meaning "concerning," "regarding," or "in the matter of"): Used to introduce the subject or topic of a discussion, document, or communication.
Synonyms: concerning, regarding, about, apropos, with reference to.
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it introduces a topic. Phrases like "irrelevant to" or "unrelated to" might be conceptual opposites in a contextual sense.)
III. Noun
(Music): The second note of the diatonic scale, following "do" and preceding "mi."
Synonyms: D (in the C major scale).
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it is a specific note. Other notes on the scale are simply different notes, not opposites.)
Examples of Use
1. As a Latin Preposition (meaning "concerning" or "regarding")
Business/Legal Correspondence:
An email subject line: "Re: Meeting Minutes from July 2nd" (Common in professional emails).
A legal document might state: "Re: Smith v. Jones - Motion for Summary Judgment filed this date."
News Articles (especially in headlines or specific legal/business sections):
"Court Rules Re: Data Privacy Case" (Often seen in legal reporting, e.g., The Wall Street Journal).
"New Policy Re: Employee Benefits Announced" (Could appear in a company newsletter or internal memo).
General Public Discourse (less common, but can appear in formal contexts):
"I need to speak with you re: the upcoming budget." (Heard in professional settings).
2. As a Prefix (meaning "again" or "back")
This is by far the most pervasive use, as it forms countless English words. The examples below show "re-" combined with a base word.
Books:
"He tried to reconstruct the events of that night from his fragmented memories." (From a mystery novel, e.g., The Guest List by Lucy Fokley, May 2020).
"The government sought to reform the healthcare system." (From a non-fiction book on politics or social science, e.g., Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari, June 2014).
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"Biden Team Seeks to Rebuild Alliances Eroded by Trump." (The New York Times).
"Scientists rediscover rare species thought to be extinct." (National Geographic Online).
"The company had to restrategize its marketing approach after the product launch failed." (Forbes Online).
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms (Movies, TV Shows, Music, Video Games):
Movie Title: "Return of the Jedi" (1983).
Song Title: "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse (October 2006).
Video Game: "Resident Evil 4 Remake" (March 2023).
TV Show Plot: A character might say, "We need to rethink our plan."
General Public Discourse:
"Can you repeat that?"
"I need to recharge my phone."
"Let's rearrange the furniture."
"They decided to remarry after years apart."
3. As a Musical Note
Music Education/Theory Books:
"The melody begins on middle C, then moves up to re." (From a basic music theory textbook).
"Sing 'Do, Re, Mi' to warm up your voice."
Online Music Tutorials/Forums:
"How to play the 're' note on a piano." (YouTube tutorial title).
"Which finger do you use for 're' in this scale?" (Online music forum, July 2024).
General Public Discourse (in musical contexts):
"She hit a perfect high re."
"The choir struggled with the intonation of the 're' in that passage."
10 Quotes Using Re
"Perhaps the earth could teach us as when everything seems dead and then be alive." (Pablo Neruda)
"You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh." (Herman Hupfeld, "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca, 1942)
"I love how spring is a season of renewal. I see a renewal in the foliage and feel a renewal in my soul as the winter fades away." (Jamie Smith)
"Starting over is never easy, but it can be the first step toward a life filled with renewed purpose and unexpected grace. Rebuilding your life is possible." (Thom Singer)
"If you think too much about being re-elected, it is very difficult to be worth re-electing." (Woodrow Wilson)
"When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully." (Fran Haley)
"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." (Carl Bard)
"It is never too late to be who you might have been." (George Eliot)
"We can't return to a normal that was never normal." (From The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, May 2020)
"I had just as much support from Republicans as I did Democrats when I ran for president. But I should have organized the Democratic Party to get me re-elected." (Jimmy Carter)
Etymology
The word "re" has a fascinating journey through language, largely stemming from Latin.
Its most fundamental origin is from the Latin preposition "re," which meant "back," "again," or "concerning/regarding." This Latin root is the foundation for two of its main uses in English:
As a Prefix: This is where you see "re-" attached to the beginning of many English words. Think of words like "redo" (to do again), "return" (to turn back), "review" (to look again).
First known use/meaning: This use as a prefix started to appear in Old French and then heavily influenced English after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The meaning was consistently about repetition or reversal ("again" or "back"). For example, words like "recover" and "receive" have deep roots from this Latin prefix coming through Old French.
As a Short Form for "Concerning": This is the more formal use you see in emails and legal documents.
First known use/meaning: This specific use as a standalone word meaning "concerning" or "in the matter of" also comes directly from the Latin "re," which was short for in re ("in the matter"). It became common in English in legal and business contexts, particularly by the 18th century, to quickly indicate the subject of a communication.
As a Musical Note: This is a separate path.
First known use/meaning: This "re" comes from the first syllable of the Latin phrase "Resonare fibris," which is part of an 11th-century hymn to St. John the Baptist. Guido of Arezzo, a Benedictine monk, is credited with developing this solmization system (Do, Re, Mi, etc.) to help singers learn melodies. So, this "re" has a specific, musical origin, not directly related to the Latin preposition meaning "again" or "concerning."
In easy terms, "re" is like a linguistic chameleon! It's either a tiny piece that adds "again" or "back" to other words (like a building block), or it's a direct, short way of saying "about" something (especially in formal writing), or it's a specific sound in music. All these uses have ancient Latin roots, but they split off into different meanings over time.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Re
The word "re," in its various forms, is not commonly used in standalone phrases or idioms in the same way many other English words are. Its primary function as a prefix means it forms the beginning of many words that then become part of idioms.
Therefore, this list will focus on:
A very common use of "re" in a phrase in a specific context.
Idioms that contain words beginning with "re-".
Phrases or idioms using a synonym of "re" where the meaning is "regarding" or "concerning," to achieve a similar effect to the formal "re."
Here's the list:
Re: [Topic] (Used almost exclusively in formal communication, like email subject lines or memos, meaning "regarding" or "concerning." Example: "Re: Your recent inquiry.")
To reinvent the wheel (To waste time creating something that has already been created efficiently.)
To reiterate a point (To repeat a point, often for emphasis.)
To recharge one's batteries (To rest and relax to regain energy.)
To rekindle a flame/romance (To revive or bring back a strong feeling or relationship.)
Regarding the matter at hand (A more formal way to introduce the topic, similar to "re:")
In respect of [something] (Meaning "concerning" or "with regard to" something.)
To make a comeback (To return to popularity or success after a period of decline.)
To put something back on track (To restore something to a normal or desired course of action.)
To have second thoughts (To reconsider a decision or opinion.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of re from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
