“Reevaluation” and “re-evaluation” are both correct. Neither one is a misspelling. The real difference is regional style: American English usually drops the hyphen, while British English tends to keep it. What actually matters is picking one spelling and using it consistently throughout the same piece of writing.
Quick Answer
| Reevaluation | Re-evaluation | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Correct | Correct |
| Preferred in | American English | British English |
| Backed by | Merriam-Webster | Oxford English Dictionary |
- Correct (US style): The board ordered a full reevaluation of the budget.
- Correct (UK style): The board ordered a full re-evaluation of the budget.
- Incorrect in any style: The board ordered a full re evaluation of the budget.
The only genuine error is writing it as two separate words with a space. “Re” is a prefix, not a standalone word, so it always has to attach to “evaluation” with either a hyphen or nothing at all.
What Reevaluation Means (and Where You’ll See It Used)
Definition
Reevaluation is a noun that describes the act of assessing something a second time, usually because new information, results, or circumstances have come up. It’s built from the prefix “re-” (again) attached to “evaluation” (an assessment or judgment).
Example: After the audit revealed inconsistencies, the finance team called for a reevaluation of last year’s figures.
Common Contexts
The word shows up most often when a decision, score, or plan needs a fresh look:
- Workplace: performance reevaluations, budget reevaluations
- Education: reevaluation of a student’s individualized learning plan
- Healthcare: reevaluation of a treatment plan after new test results
- Personal life: reevaluating a relationship, a career path, or a financial goal
Pronunciation and Syllable Breakdown
Both spellings are pronounced the same way. According to Wiktionary’s IPA transcriptions for the base verb “reevaluate”:
- General American: /ˌriɪˈvæljueɪt/
- British (Received Pronunciation): /ˌriːɪˈvæljueɪt/
The noun form, “reevaluation,” carries five syllables: re-e-val-u-a-tion. The main stress falls on the second-to-last syllable, “-a-,” as in re-e-val-u-AY-shun.
Word Origin: Where “Reevaluation” Comes From
“Reevaluation” is a straightforward combination of two existing English elements: the prefix “re-,” meaning “again” or “back,” and “evaluation,” from the Latin root valere (“to be strong” or “to be worth”), by way of French. There’s no separate history behind the word itself — it’s simply “evaluation” done a second time, and the hyphen (or lack of one) is a spelling convention rather than a meaningful part of its history.
Is There a Real Difference Between Reevaluation and Re-Evaluation?
No. Both spellings mean exactly the same thing. The difference is entirely cosmetic. Neither form changes the definition, the pronunciation, or the grammar of the word. What changes is which audience expects to see it — and dictionaries do split along regional lines.
American vs. British English Usage
Merriam-Webster, the primary US dictionary authority, lists “reevaluate” and “reevaluation” without a hyphen as the standard American entries. Cambridge Dictionary, by contrast, lists the hyphenated “re-evaluate” and “re-evaluation” as its main British entries, while also recognizing the closed form.
This pattern is consistent with how American English generally treats the “re-” prefix: it tends to close up compounds over time (think “email,” “reexamine,” “cooperate”), while British publishing has historically been more willing to keep a hyphen when two vowels meet, as in “re-” plus a word starting with “e.”
Practical takeaway: If you’re writing for a US audience, publication, or academic institution, “reevaluation” is the safer default. If you’re writing for a UK, Irish, Australian, or other Commonwealth audience, “re-evaluation” will look more natural.
Reevaluation vs. Re-Evaluation: Which One Should You Use?
Use “reevaluation” when:
- You’re writing for an American audience, employer, or publication
- You’re following a US-based style guide or dictionary
- You want the more compact, modern-looking form
Use “re-evaluation” when:
- You’re writing for a British, Irish, or Commonwealth audience
- Your organization’s existing documents already use the hyphenated form
- You want to visually separate the prefix from the root word for readability
Example Sentences with “Reevaluation”
- The coach announced a reevaluation of the starting lineup after the loss.
- Our reevaluation of the vendor contract turned up two unnecessary fees.
- The clinic scheduled a reevaluation for six weeks after surgery.
Example Sentences with “Re-Evaluation”
- The committee requested a re-evaluation of the planning application.
- Her re-evaluation of the manuscript led to a shorter, sharper draft.
- The bank’s re-evaluation of the loan terms took place in March.
Is “Re Evaluation” (No Hyphen, Two Words) Ever Correct?
No. Writing “re evaluation” as two separate words is incorrect in both American and British English. “Re-” only functions as a prefix; it cannot stand alone as a word. Leaving a space between “re” and “evaluation” isn’t a recognized style variant — it’s simply a typo.
- Correct: The team requested a reevaluation of the proposal.
- Incorrect: The team requested a re evaluation of the proposal.
- Explanation: “Re” needs to attach directly to “evaluation,” either with a hyphen or with no space at all.
Parts of Speech and Word Forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (base) | reevaluate / re-evaluate | We need to reevaluate this plan. |
| Verb (3rd person singular) | reevaluates / re-evaluates | She reevaluates her goals every January. |
| Verb (past tense/participle) | reevaluated / re-evaluated | They reevaluated the offer last week. |
| Verb (-ing form) | reevaluating / re-evaluating | He is reevaluating his options. |
| Noun (singular) | reevaluation / re-evaluation | The reevaluation took two days. |
| Noun (plural) | reevaluations / re-evaluations | Annual reevaluations are standard practice here. |
Common Spelling and Usage Mistakes
Switching spellings within one document
- Incorrect: The first paragraph says “re-evaluation,” but the conclusion says “reevaluation.”
- Correct: Choose one spelling and use it every time it appears in the same document.
- Explanation: Style guides don’t rank one form above the other, but mixing them in the same piece reads as inconsistent editing.
Adding a space instead of a hyphen
- Incorrect: We asked for a re evaluation of the contract.
- Correct: We asked for a reevaluation (or re-evaluation) of the contract.
- Explanation: A space is never a valid substitute for a hyphen or a closed compound here.
Confusing reevaluation with plain “evaluation”
- Incorrect: This is our first reevaluation of the new hire. (when no prior evaluation ever happened)
- Correct: This is our first evaluation of the new hire.
- Explanation: “Reevaluation” implies a prior assessment already took place. If this is the first review, “evaluation” is the accurate word.
Reevaluation vs. Revaluation (and Other Words People Confuse It With)
Reevaluation vs. Revaluation
These two words look similar but mean different things. “Revaluation” is a more specialized term, most often used in finance and economics, referring to an official adjustment in the value of a currency or asset. “Reevaluation” is the general term for reassessing anything — a decision, a plan, a policy — and is not limited to financial value.
- Reevaluation: The teacher’s reevaluation of the essay raised the grade by one point.
- Revaluation: The central bank announced a revaluation of the national currency.
They are not interchangeable. Using “revaluation” when you mean a general reassessment will confuse readers familiar with its financial meaning.
Synonyms for Reevaluation
Depending on context, you can substitute: reassessment, reappraisal, review, reexamination, or reconsideration.
Reevaluation in Everyday Context
Business
Reevaluations are common during budget cycles, vendor reviews, and strategy pivots. Example: The marketing team’s reevaluation of last quarter’s campaign led to a new ad strategy.
Education
Schools use the term for reassessing a student’s progress or support plan. Example: The school scheduled a reevaluation of his individualized education plan for the spring.
Healthcare
Clinicians reevaluate patients after treatment or surgery to track recovery. Example: The physical therapist recommended a reevaluation after four weeks of exercises.
Personal Life
People use it informally to describe rethinking goals or relationships. Example: Losing the job pushed her toward a reevaluation of her career plans.
Quick Quiz: Test Your Understanding
- Which spelling is standard in American English? a) Re evaluation b) Reevaluation c) Revaluation
- Fill in the blank: The company issued a ______ of its pricing strategy after customer complaints. a) revaluation b) reevaluation c) re evaluation
- True or false: “Reevaluation” and “re-evaluation” have different meanings.
- Which sentence uses the word correctly? a) The bank announced a reevaluation of the currency. b) The bank announced a revaluation of the currency.
- Choose the correct past-tense form: “The doctor ______ the patient’s progress last week.” a) reevaluate b) reevaluated c) reevaluating
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “reevaluation” or “re-evaluation” grammatically correct? Both are grammatically correct. “Reevaluation” is the standard spelling in American English, while “re-evaluation” is more common in British English. Neither form is a grammar error; the choice comes down to regional convention and consistency.
Which spelling does Merriam-Webster prefer? Merriam-Webster lists “reevaluate” and “reevaluation” without a hyphen as the standard American entries. This reflects general American practice of closing up “re-” compounds rather than hyphenating them.
Do British and American English really spell this differently? Generally, yes. American dictionaries favor the closed form, while British dictionaries like Cambridge lead with the hyphenated form. Both dictionaries acknowledge the other spelling exists, so neither version will look completely foreign to either audience.
Is “re evaluation” (as two separate words) ever acceptable? No. A space between “re” and “evaluation” is incorrect in any dialect. “Re-” is a prefix and must attach to the root word, either directly or with a hyphen.
What’s the difference between reevaluation and revaluation? “Reevaluation” means reassessing something in general. “Revaluation” specifically refers to adjusting the value of a currency or financial asset. They are related in meaning but used in different contexts.
How do you pronounce “reevaluation”? It has five syllables: re-e-val-u-a-tion, with the main stress on the syllable “-a-” near the end. The pronunciation is the same regardless of which spelling you use.
What is the verb form of “reevaluation”? The verb is “reevaluate” (or “re-evaluate”). Its other forms are reevaluates, reevaluated, and reevaluating.
Can I switch between both spellings in the same document? You shouldn’t. While both spellings are correct on their own, alternating between them in one piece of writing looks inconsistent. Pick one form at the start and use it throughout.
Is “reevaluate” one word or two? It’s one word, written either as “reevaluate” or “re-evaluate.” It is never written as two separate words with a space.
What are good synonyms for “reevaluation”? Common alternatives include reassessment, reappraisal, review, reexamination, and reconsideration. The best choice depends on your context and tone.
Why does “reevaluation” have a double “e”? The double “e” appears because the prefix “re-” ends in “e” and attaches directly to “evaluation,” which also starts with “e.” Some writers add a hyphen specifically to break up this double vowel for easier reading, but it’s a style preference, not a spelling requirement.
Which Spelling Should You Choose?
Both “reevaluation” and “re-evaluation” are correct, and the choice comes down to your audience and consistency, not correctness. Use “reevaluation” for American readers and “re-evaluation” for British or Commonwealth readers, and stick with one spelling throughout your document. If you remember nothing else, remember this: the only real mistake is writing “re evaluation” as two separate words.
