What does 'REDEEM' mean? - Learn the meaning of the word redeem with Mr Duncan.

I love the English language, and to prove it, here is another lovely word for us to share and enjoy.

Today’s word is… ‘Redeem’.

The word ‘redeem’ is a verb that means to make up for, to make amends for some fault, bad characteristics, or deficiency.

The negative thing is being cancelled by something positive.

“His willingness to help redeems his untidy appearance.”

A bad thing is forgotten because there is something good that pushes the negative aspect aside.

The word ‘redeem’ in this sense is to ‘compensate’ or ‘counterbalance’.

In another sense the word ‘redeem’ is the collecting of an offer given in the form of a token or voucher.

You might go to the supermarket to redeem a special offer given to you in the form of a voucher.

It might be offering 20% off your next purchase.

So the next time you go shopping, you will take the voucher and redeem the offer before you pay for the things you want.

A fair exchange takes place.

An offer is made and you redeem the offer.

To recover something is to redeem.

A thing taken is returned.

Money owed is paid back.

The action can be active or passive.

I might redeem something from you… or you might redeem something from me.

In each situation an equal outcome or result is reached.

From a religious point of view, the word ‘redeem’ relates to the return of one’s beliefs or morality.

The punishment of a person’s sins are taken from them through some sort of penance or sacrifice.

Deliverance from sin has been achieved.

A person might feel redeemed.

We also have the word ‘redemption’ which is the noun form of the word.

To be rescued or saved.

A return to the previous positive state is to find ‘redemption’.

A bad action might be cancelled out by a kind gesture.

This might also be described as ‘redemption’.

To get something back, which was lost is ‘redemption’.

The word ‘redeem’ originates from Latin and literally means ‘repurchase’.

Synonyms of ‘redeem’ include: - pay off - reclaim - recoup - regain - repay - restore, and win back.