Meaning & use
reconnecting
Last updated
“reconnecting” is a form of “reconnect”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
Joining again something that was separated, especially a device or service to a network or power supply.
Grammar: Can take an object or stand alone: reconnecting the cable, or the phone is reconnecting.
Patterns
- reconnecting something to something
- reconnecting to something
The technician is reconnecting the router to the main line.
My laptop keeps reconnecting to the wifi every few minutes.
Workers are reconnecting power to the street after the storm.
verbintransitive
Renewing contact or a close bond with a person, place or part of yourself after a period apart.
Grammar: Usually followed by with: reconnecting with an old friend.
Patterns
- reconnecting with someone
- reconnecting with something
She is reconnecting with friends she hasn't seen in years.
He spent the weekend reconnecting with nature.
The family is reconnecting after a long argument.
Common combinations
- reconnecting with old friends
- He enjoys reconnecting with old friends on holiday.
- reconnecting to the internet
- The phone is reconnecting to the internet.
- reconnecting with nature
- A camping trip is good for reconnecting with nature.
- reconnecting power
- Crews are reconnecting power to the hospital.
- reconnecting with your roots
- She is reconnecting with her roots by learning the language.
Synonyms and how they differ
- reestablishing
- Reestablishing is formal and suits contact or systems, whereas reconnecting is more casual.
- rejoining
- Rejoining means becoming part of a group again, while reconnecting is about restoring a link.
- reuniting
- Reuniting suggests meeting again after separation, with more emotion.
- relinking
- Relinking is technical and used about computers or web pages.
Opposites
Word family
- reconnect verb
- to connect again
- reconnection noun
- the act of connecting again
- connect verb
- to join
- disconnect verb
- to break a connection
Commonly confused: reconnecting or reconnecting to people? reconnecting or reconnaissance?
reconnecting vs reconnecting to people
With people, use reconnecting with, not to.
reconnecting vs reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is military scouting and has no link in meaning.
Practice
She spent the weekend ____ with friends she hadn't seen in years.
Choose one answer.
After spent the weekend we need an -ing form. Reconnected and reconnects do not fit the pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reconnecting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.