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Definition of upcycle

upcycle

/ˈʌpˌsaɪ.kəl/
up · cy · cle
Adjective:upcycled
•
Past Simple:upcycled
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Past Participle:upcycled
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Present Participle:upcycling
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upcycle Lexical Profile

upcycle Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To reuse discarded objects or material in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original.

Example

"She decided to upcycle the old wooden pallets into rustic patio furniture."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for upcycle
Antonyms
View all antonyms for upcycle

Word Nuance & Usage

Unlike 'recycle', which typically involves breaking down materials into raw components (often reducing their quality), 'upcycle' means creatively transforming discarded items into new products of higher quality or aesthetic value without degrading the raw material.

• Nearby Words

upchuck
upcoming
upcurved
upcycle
upcycling
updatable
update

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 1990s as a blend of 'up-' and 'recycle', popularized by German engineer Reiner Pilz in 1994 and later by William McDonough and Michael Braungart in their 2002 book 'Cradle to Cradle'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Upcycle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/upcycle
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