born-again
UK: ˌbɔːn əˈɡen | US: ˌbɔːrn əˈɡen
adj. 1. (Christianity) Having undergone a spiritual rebirth or conversion, especially in evangelical Christianity.
adj. 2. (Figurative) Renewed or revived in enthusiasm, purpose, or identity.
The term originates from evangelical Christian theology, directly referencing Jesus' words in John 3:3 ("You must be born again"). The morpheme "born" retains its Old English root beran (to bear/carry), while "again" derives from Old English onġēan (against/anew). The hyphenated compound emerged in the 16th century to describe spiritual renewal, later secularized for metaphorical revival (e.g., "born-again environmentalist").
After his religious awakening, he identified as a born-again Christian.
The company rebranded itself as a born-again pioneer of sustainable fashion.
She described her recovery from illness as a born-again appreciation for life.
The politician's born-again commitment to transparency surprised critics.
Classic cars restored to perfection are called "born-again beauties" by enthusiasts.