restore
gb/ɹɪstˈɔɹ/ us/ɹɪstˈɔɹ/
B1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Return something to former state
To make something the way it was before.
Usage pattern:
to restore [something] to [its original condition/state]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'restore' with 'store'; 'restore' means to bring back to a former state, not to put away.
Synonyms
repair (Focuses on fixing damage, often physical, but less about full original state.)
|
renew (Implies making something fresh or new again, sometimes beyond its original condition.)
Antonyms
damage (To cause harm or make something worse rather than returning it to its previous state.)
Collocations
restore order
|restore confidence
|restore balance
|restore power
|restore health
Themes
repair
|daily life
|maintenance
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The workers restored the old bridge to its original beauty.
- After the storm, it took days to restore power to the town.
- The museum restored the painting after years of neglect.
- The government is working to restore public trust.
- Her kindness restored my faith in people.
Learner examples
- They restored the old house.
- The shop restored my phone.
- We will restore the garden.
- The city restored the park.
- He restored the chair after it broke.
Verb
B1
action
2
Give something back to rightful owner
To give something back to the person it belongs to.
Usage pattern:
to restore [something] to [someone]
Synonyms
return (General term for giving something back; 'restore' may imply formality or rightful claim.)
Antonyms
confiscate (To take something away, especially with authority, and not give it back.)
Collocations
restore property
|restore rights
|restore possessions
Themes
law
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The police restored the stolen jewels to their owner.
- The treaty restored the land to its original inhabitants.
- He restored my wallet after finding it on the street.
Learner examples
- I restored the book to my friend.
- They restored the money to me.
- The school restored my bag.
- She restored his phone.
Verb
formal
B2
action
3
Reinstate a right or law
To make a rule or situation exist again like before.
Usage pattern:
to restore [rights/powers/order]
Synonyms
reinstate (Focuses on putting something back into its former position or status.)
Antonyms
abolish (To officially end a law or system.)
Collocations
restore democracy
|restore order
|restore peace
Themes
law
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new leader promised to restore democracy in the country.
- Troops were sent in to restore order after the riots.
- The court decision restored voting rights to thousands of citizens.
Learner examples
- They want to restore peace in the city.
- The law will restore old rights.
- We must restore order here.
Grammar
Dictionary form
restore
IPA
GB/ɹɪstˈɔɹ/
US/ɹɪstˈɔɹ/
Syllables & stress
re - store (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (store)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: restore
- 3rd Person Singular: restores
- Present Participle: restoring
- Past: restored
Word family
Forms
restores
verb
restoring
verb
restored
verb
Core family
restoration
noun B2
Related words
restorer
noun
restorative
adjective C1
Negative and opposite forms
unrestored
adjective
Advanced or less common
restorable
adjective
Expressions
restore faith in [something/someone]
1/ɹɪstˈɔɹ fˈeɪθ ˈɪn səmˈɛθɪŋsˈoʊmˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
Make someone believe again
To help someone believe in a person or thing again after losing trust.
Examples
- Her honesty restored my faith in politicians.
- The rescue effort restored faith in humanity.
restore order
1/ɹɪstˈɔɹ ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
Return situation to control and peace
To make a place calm and organized again after trouble.
Examples
- Police worked quickly to restore order in the streets.
- The teacher tried to restore order in the noisy classroom.