redeem
gb/ɹɪdˈim/ us/ɹɪdˈim/
B1
English
~ 6100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
make up for faults or mistakes
To make a bad person, action, or situation seem better by doing something good or successful after it.
Usage pattern:
to redeem [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "redeem" with "repair" or "fix". "Redeem" is about improving how something is judged or seen (reputation, impression, situation), not physically repairing an object. For example, you cannot *redeem* a broken phone; you *repair* it. You can redeem a *bad performance* by doing better later.
Synonyms
make up for (More informal and very common in everyday speech; focuses on balancing or correcting a bad thing with a good thing.)
Antonyms
spoil (Describes making something worse or ruining a good situation, the opposite of improving or compensating for it.)
Collocations
redeem yourself
|redeem the situation
|redeem his reputation
|redeem a poor performance
|redeem a bad start
|redeem an earlier mistake
Themes
emotions
|reputation
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After his rude comment, he tried to redeem himself by helping organize the event.
- Her outstanding final chapter redeemed an otherwise weak book.
- The team's strong performance in the second half redeemed their terrible start.
- His honesty about the problem went a long way toward redeeming his earlier mistake.
- The only thing that redeemed the movie was the excellent acting.
Learner examples
- He made a big mistake but tried to redeem himself by working very hard.
- The good ending helped redeem the boring movie.
- Her kind actions helped redeem her bad first impression.
- His great work on this project will redeem his past errors.
- A funny story can sometimes redeem an awkward moment.
Verb
B1
action
2
exchange coupon, code, or points
To use a coupon, code, or points to get money, a product, or a service.
Usage pattern:
to redeem [a coupon/points/code] (for [something])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "use" instead of "redeem" in formal instructions (e.g. on websites or coupons). While "use this coupon" is fine in speech, written rules and systems usually say "redeem this coupon" or "redeem your points". Also, "refund" is not the same: you redeem a coupon to *get* something; you get a refund to *get your money back*.
Synonyms
cash in (Often more informal; commonly used with points or chips, especially in games or gambling contexts.)
Antonyms
forfeit (Means to lose the right to use or claim something (like points or a prize), often by not acting in time.)
Collocations
redeem a coupon
|redeem a voucher
|redeem points
|redeem miles
|redeem a gift card
|redeem a code
Themes
business
|shopping
|technology
|daily_life
|finance
Examples
- You can redeem this coupon for a free drink at any of our stores.
- Members can redeem their points online for hotel stays and flights.
- Please redeem your gift card within twelve months of purchase.
- The promo code can only be redeemed once per customer.
- I forgot to redeem my miles before they expired.
Learner examples
- I want to redeem this coupon for a free coffee.
- You can redeem your points for a small gift.
- She redeemed a code to download the game.
- He redeemed his gift card at the bookstore.
- You must redeem the voucher before the end of the month.
Verb
technical
C1
action
3
pay off or buy back a financial product
In finance, to pay back the full amount of a bond, loan, or shares so that they are finished or returned.
Usage pattern:
to redeem [a bond/loan/shares]
Common mistake:
Learners may mix this sense with the everyday coupon sense. In financial news, "redeem a bond" does *not* mean to exchange a coupon; it means to pay back the money borrowed. Also, "pay off" is fine for loans but is not always used with shares and bonds in formal writing, where "redeem" is preferred.
Synonyms
repay (General word for paying money back; "redeem" is more specific to bonds, loans, or shares in financial contexts.)
Antonyms
issue (In finance, to create and sell new securities such as bonds or shares, effectively the opposite stage of later redeeming them.)
Collocations
redeem a bond
|redeem the loan
|redeem shares
|redeem preference shares
|redeem the mortgage
|early redemption penalty
Themes
business
|finance
Examples
- The company plans to redeem all outstanding bonds next year.
- Homeowners may be charged a fee if they redeem their mortgage early.
- The bank agreed to redeem the loan ahead of schedule.
- Investors were informed that the fund would redeem its shares at the end of the quarter.
- The government announced it would redeem the treasury notes on their maturity date.
Learner examples
- The company will redeem its bonds in five years.
- You can redeem your shares when you leave the fund.
- They want to redeem the loan early to save money.
- The government will redeem these bonds when they mature.
- The bank charges a fee if you redeem the mortgage too soon.
Verb
B2
action
4
get back pawned or held property
To take back an object you left as security for money, by paying the money back.
Usage pattern:
to redeem [an item] from [a place/person]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this is only a religious word. In fact, in legal or money contexts, "redeem" can mean to get back something you gave as security by paying the debt. Do not confuse this with simply "buy"; you redeem something you already owned but had pledged or given as security.
Synonyms
reclaim (Emphasizes getting something back that was taken or left; "redeem" highlights paying what is owed to get it back.)
Antonyms
surrender (To give up claim or ownership, often permanently, instead of paying to get the item back.)
Collocations
redeem an item
|redeem the property
|redeem a pledge
|redeem the pawned goods
|redeem his watch
|redeem the house from the bank
Themes
daily life
|business
|finance
|daily_life
Examples
- He managed to redeem his watch from the pawnshop before the deadline.
- If you do not redeem the property in time, the bank may sell it.
- They were unable to redeem the house and finally had to move out.
- The contract states that you can redeem the goods within 30 days by repaying the loan.
- She borrowed money against her jewelry and is now trying to redeem it.
Learner examples
- He redeemed his ring from the pawnshop after he got paid.
- If you do not redeem the house, the bank can sell it.
- She hopes to redeem her gold necklace next month.
- They could not redeem the car, so they lost it.
- You must pay the full amount to redeem your things.
Verb
formal
C1
action
5
save from sin or evil
In religion, to save a person or people from sin or evil and its punishment.
Usage pattern:
to redeem [someone/people] (from [sin/evil])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use this religious sense of "redeem" in everyday situations where it sounds too formal or theological. For normal daily life, use verbs like "save" or "help" (e.g. "This medicine saved my life," not "redeemed my life").
Synonyms
save (A more general and simpler word; in religious language, "save" often overlaps with "redeem" but may sound slightly less formal or theological.)
Antonyms
condemn (In religious language, to judge someone as guilty and deserving punishment, the opposite of rescuing or saving them.)
Collocations
redeem humanity
|redeem us from our sins
|redeemed by Christ
|redeem the world
|divine redemption
|redeem the soul
Themes
religion
|philosophy
|emotions
Examples
- According to Christian belief, Christ died to redeem humanity from sin.
- The story is about a criminal who seeks to redeem his soul.
- Many hymns speak of God’s power to redeem the world.
- She believed that sincere repentance could redeem even the worst sinner.
- The prophet called on the people to return to God, who alone could redeem them.
Learner examples
- Some Christians believe Jesus came to redeem people from sin.
- The movie shows how love can redeem a man with a bad past.
- The church teaches that God can redeem any person who asks for help.
- He prays every day, hoping God will redeem him.
- They sang a song about a king who will redeem his people.
Grammar
Dictionary form
redeem
IPA
GB/ɹɪdˈim/
US/ɹɪdˈim/
Syllables & stress
re - deem (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (deem)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: redeem
- 3rd Person Singular: redeems
- Present Participle: redeeming
- Past: redeemed
Word family
Forms
redeems
verb
redeeming
verb
redeemed
verb
Core family
redemption
noun B2
redeemable
adjective
Related words
redeemer
noun
Negative and opposite forms
irredeemable
adjective
Expressions
redeem oneself
1/ɹɪdˈim wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
restore one’s reputation by actions
To do something good after a mistake so that people think better of you again.
Examples
- After failing the exam, she redeemed herself by getting the highest score the next time.
- He knew he had hurt his friends and wanted to redeem himself by being there when they needed him.
- The player redeemed himself with a brilliant goal in the final minutes.
redeeming feature
1/ɹɪdˈimɪŋ fˈit͡ʃɚ/
idiom
positive quality that offsets faults
A good or pleasant part of a person or thing that is mostly bad or not very good.
Examples
- The only redeeming feature of the apartment was the view from the balcony.
- His sense of humor is his one redeeming feature.
- The film’s redeeming features are its music and beautiful scenery.