In plain English
It is not new: the item has been used before or sent back by an earlier buyer. It has then been repaired if needed, cleaned, and tested so it is back in good working order and can be sold again.
In context
Here, it communicates that the offer is for a previously used or returned item that has been restored to good working order for sale again.
- Situation
- Browsing product availability, variants, stock, condition, and seller information
- What it communicates
- classifies the offer as refurbished condition.
Meaning limits
By itself, this term does not say how much prior use or return history the item had, only that it was previously used or returned and then restored to good working order.
Examples
“The refurbished phone had been returned by an earlier buyer, then repaired, cleaned, and tested before it went back on sale.”
“We bought a refurbished phone for the office after the new ones sold out.”