anew

Anew is an adverb in English meaning “in a new or different way; again.” It is used to signal a renewal of action or a fresh start, as in phrases such as start anew or begin anew. The sense emphasizes a return to a starting point with changes or a fresh approach rather than repetition with old conditions.

Usage of anew is most common in formal, literary, or philosophical writing. In everyday speech, speakers more often use words and phrases like again, afresh, or start over. Anew can modify verbs directly (They decided to begin anew) or describe a renewed state (The project began anew after the hiatus). In style guides, anew is typically associated with measured, sometimes archaic or elevated tones.

Etymology and origins: the exact historical development of anew is not definitively recorded in all sources. It is generally treated as a compound-like formation involving a- and new, with a prefix-like element contributing emphasis on a change or renewal. The word has become established in English as a standalone adverb, distinct from its modern components.

Related terms and variations include afresh and again, which convey similar ideas of repetition or renewal but with different nuances. In usage, anew often signals a deliberate restart or a shift in approach, whereas afresh can feel more immediate and practical, and again is a broad, everyday synonym.

See also: afresh; again; start over; fresh start.