repurposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "repurposed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been adapted or modified for a different use or purpose than originally intended. Example: "The old warehouse was repurposed into a modern art gallery, showcasing local artists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An entire establishment of national security repurposed itself.

The Guardian - Tech

In a stroke of inspired creativity, Occupy activists repurposed Amazon's existing e-commerce and fulfillment infrastructure, in the form of a wedding registry, to funnel donated goods to the distribution centre they had set up in a Brooklyn church.

The Guardian

From Porto Alegre's participatory budgeting and the literally destratifying cable cars of Caracas, to Nairobi's "digital matatus" and the repurposed bus-ferries of Manila, the communities of the south are responsible for an ever-lengthening parade of social and technical innovations that rival anything the developed world has to offer for ingenuity and practical utility.

The Guardian

The only thing guests may miss is the swimming pool, which has been repurposed as an insulated reservoir storing 80,000 litres of water heated by the hotel's solar panels.

The Guardian - Travel

I was depressed before, but I'm not now.'" As Marr and his wife chuckle about this together, I have a picture of a man who has found himself repurposed by his extraordinary bad luck.

The Guardian

In line with frugal innovation thinking, many existing capacities of tablets, smartphones and even "dumbphones" can be repurposed to serve diagnostic, monitoring, and therapeutic functions.

The Guardian

Its kitchen appliances are adaptable to different cuisines: with a few modifications, a rice-cooker for the Chinese market is repurposed to make borscht in Russia or cassoulet in France.As it demonstrated this week, Philips still has to lose a reputation for springing unpleasant surprises.

The Economist

Most of its smartphone apps are repurposed versions of its old books.

The Economist

It advises some users to log on only for short sessions, and to do so from a moving vehicle.Such dishes can also be repurposed for long-range internet connections that do not involve satellites.

The Economist

IN THE deconsecrated church of Saint-Esprit, jugglers toss fluorescent orange clubs in front of the former altar, trapeze artists soar under the gaze of stone saints and wobbly unicyclists use two lines of repurposed pews as handrails.

The Economist

In the revitalising sprawl of Long Island City, PS1 exhibits a more youthful strand of contemporary art in a big and stylishly repurposed school building.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "repurposed", ensure the context clearly indicates both the original and the new use of the item or concept. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "repurposed" when the item is simply being repaired or maintained in its original function. "Repurposed" implies a change in use, not just restoration.

Linguistic Context

The term "repurposed" functions as a past participle or adjective, describing something that has been given a new purpose. Ludwig AI validates this usage. It often modifies nouns, indicating a change in the object's intended use. Examples include "repurposed building" or "repurposed materials".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "repurposed" functions as a past participle or adjective, indicating that something has been adapted for a new use. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various domains, particularly in "News & Media" and "Encyclopedias". Its primary function is to convey adaptation and reuse, highlighting resourcefulness or innovation. While the term carries a neutral register, it is crucial to ensure the context clearly defines both the original and new purpose to avoid ambiguity. Related terms include "adapted" and "reused", each with slightly different connotations. By understanding its function, purpose, and common errors, writers can effectively use "repurposed" to add clarity and depth to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Re-purposed

Suggests finding an alternative use for something.

Adapted

Focuses on modifying something to suit a new purpose or condition, emphasizing the change made.

Reused

Highlights the act of using something again, often without significant alteration.

Re-engineered

Suggests a more thorough redesign and reconstruction to meet new requirements.

Converted

Implies a transformation from one form or function to another.

Re-fashioned

Indicates a transformation in style or appearance, often for aesthetic purposes.

Transformed

Emphasizes a significant change in form, nature, or function.

Modified

Suggests making changes to something, usually to improve it or adapt it to a new purpose.

Upcycled

Refers to transforming waste materials into new products of better quality or for environmental value.

Reclaimed

Implies retrieving something and converting it to a new purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "repurposed" in a sentence?

You can use "repurposed" to describe when an item or idea is used for a different purpose than it was originally intended. For example, "The old factory was "repurposed" into apartments".

What are some alternatives to the word "repurposed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "adapted", "reused", or "re-engineered".

Is it correct to say "repurposed for" or "repurposed to"?

Both "repurposed for" and "repurposed to" are grammatically correct, but "repurposed for" is more common when specifying the new purpose, while "repurposed to" may be used to express the action taken. Example: "The building was "repurposed for" office space" or "The building was "repurposed to" serve as a community center".

What's the difference between "recycled" and "repurposed"?

"Recycled" typically refers to breaking down an item into its raw materials to create something new, while "repurposed" means using an item in its current form for a different purpose. For instance, plastic bottles can be recycled to make new plastic items, or they can be "repurposed" as planters.