restore

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/rɪˈstɔr/
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To bring someone or something back to an earlier, rightful, or better state.
Practice using restore in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • They did not restore the wooden doors until the roof was secure.
  • When will the seized land be restored to the community?
  • One apology cannot instantly restore trust.
  • Several objects have not yet been restored to their country of origin.
  • The agreement helped restore peace after years of conflict.

Similar words

return
rehabilitate
reinstate
reimburse
reestablish
reintroduce
repay
rebuild
renovate
renew

Meanings

Return to good condition

verb
repair
neutral
To repair or renew something so that it is close to an earlier, better, or original condition.

Examples

  • Experts restored the faded painting over two years.
  • We plan to restore the old house rather than replace it.
  • Can this damaged photograph be restored?
  • The mechanic is restoring a motorcycle from the 1960s.
  • They did not restore the wooden doors until the roof was secure.

Similar words

repair
renovate
renew
refurbish
rebuild
recondition

Bring back into existence or use

verb
society
neutral
To make a situation, system, quality, service, or practice exist or operate again after it has been lost or interrupted.

Examples

  • The agreement helped restore peace after years of conflict.
  • Engineers restored power to most homes before dawn.
  • Will the new policy restore public confidence?
  • The museum has restored free admission on Fridays.
  • One apology cannot instantly restore trust.

Similar words

reestablish
reinstate
revive
reintroduce
renew
return

Return someone to a former state or position

verb
health
neutral
To bring a person back to health, ability, a role, a rank, or another condition they had before.

Examples

  • The treatment restored much of her hearing.
  • A long rest restored him to health.
  • The court restored her to her former position.
  • Could surgery restore his sight?
  • The election restored the civilian government to power.

Similar words

reinstate
rehabilitate
revive
heal
return
reestablish

Give back to the owner

verb
property
formal
To return something lost, stolen, or taken away to the person or place that rightfully owns it.

Examples

  • The painting was restored to its rightful owner.
  • The archive agreed to restore the letters to the family.
  • When will the seized land be restored to the community?
  • The court ordered the funds to be restored to the account.
  • Several objects have not yet been restored to their country of origin.

Similar words

return
restitute
repay
reimburse
give back

Etymology

From Middle English restoren, through Old French restorer, from Latin restaurare, meaning to repair, rebuild, or renew.

FAQ

What does restore mean?

To restore is to bring someone or something back to an earlier, rightful, or better state.

How do you pronounce restore?

In General American English, restore is pronounced /rɪˈstɔr/.

What are the forms of restore?

The past tense and past participle are restored, and the -ing form is restoring.

What is the difference between restore and repair?

Repair mainly means fixing damage, while restore often means bringing the whole thing close to an earlier condition.

Can restore describe trust or peace?

Yes. English commonly uses restore for qualities or conditions that return, such as trust, peace, order, and confidence.

Can restore mean give something back?

Yes. In formal use, restore can mean returning property to its rightful owner.

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