repurpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "repurpose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something is being changed or converted so that it can be used for a different purpose. For example: "We are repurposing the old barn so that it can be used as a recording studio."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Myers said there are also plans to repurpose a few of the life-sized figures for a new exhibit on the Underground Railroad, a clandestine pre-war network that transported slaves from the South to freedom in Canada.

The Guardian

All he had to do, therefore, was correlate and repurpose these results.

The Economist

Disney now plans to use its new ABC Family channel to "repurpose" other ABC network shows, such as action-adventures, that do not fit on the family-oriented Disney Channel.

The Economist

And the emergence of open standards and open-source software makes it easier to repurpose off-the-shelf technologies or combine them in novel ways.

The Economist

Alas for Mr Cain, his train derailed rather spectacularly owing to sexual harassment allegations.Instead of crafting new songs from scratch, most candidates repurpose existing jingles.

The Economist

There, along with Arp and Dutch De Stijl artist Theo van Doesburg, Taeuber-Arp worked on a commission to repurpose a mid-18th-century building into what would become the Café de l'Aubette, a restaurant with a dance hall and a theatre.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A November 2013 proposal to preserve and repurpose the massive structure was not successful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a charmingly colourful video the tech company challenged women to "Hack a Hairdryer", or repurpose it in an innovative way, to prove they have a logical brain beneath their bubble perms.

Independent

And the library is encouraging the public  to use them however they  like, saying they are for anyone to "remix and repurpose".

Independent

The cap Rebecca: After filling up the Christmas stockings with satsumas, did he repurpose his executive fruit bowl as alternative headgear?

Independent

Serving as a creative consultant for the company, he helped repurpose Myspace, which had conceded the majority of its former market to Facebook, as a community for musicians and their fans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sustainability or resourcefulness, "repurpose" is an excellent choice. Use it to show how items can have extended value beyond their original intention.

Common error

While both terms relate to sustainability, "recycle" refers to processing waste for reuse. "Repurpose" means finding a new use for an item in its current form, without breaking it down.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "repurpose" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on an object to change its use. Ludwig examples confirm its use in transforming items for new functions, as in "repurpose scraps" or "repurpose old pieces".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "repurpose" is a versatile verb that describes the act of finding a new use for something, often implying resourcefulness and innovation. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic content. When writing, remember that "repurpose" differs from "recycle" in that it involves finding a new use for an item without breaking it down. Consider alternatives like "adapt" or "convert" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reuse

Highlights using something again, possibly for a different function.

convert

Emphasizes changing something into a different form or function.

adapt

Focuses on modifying something to suit a new purpose or condition.

reconfigure

Focuses on changing the arrangement or settings of something.

transform

Suggests a more significant change in form or appearance.

rework

Implies modifying or improving something for a new application.

remodel

Implies altering the structure or design for a new purpose.

redevelop

Suggests improving an area or site for a new purpose.

recycle

Specifically refers to processing waste materials for reuse.

reclaim

Emphasizes recovering something for a new use.

FAQs

How can I use "repurpose" in a sentence?

You can use "repurpose" to describe finding a new use for something, like "We plan to "repurpose the old factory" into apartments".

What is a good alternative to "repurpose"?

Alternatives to "repurpose" include "adapt", "convert", or "reuse", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "repurpose something for something else"?

Yes, it is correct. For example, "They will "repurpose the building for commercial use"" is a grammatically sound construction.

What's the difference between "repurpose" and "renovate"?

"Renovate" means to restore or improve something, while "repurpose" means to "use it for a different purpose" than it was originally intended.