English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adjective

convalescent

kon-vuh-LEH-suhnt

Convalescent (adjective) means recovering gradually from an illness. Example: “He spent two convalescent weeks at his sister's house after surgery.”

adjective
1
Recovering gradually from an illness.
"He spent two convalescent weeks at his sister's house after surgery."
noun
1
A person who is recovering from illness.
"The seaside home once served as a retreat for convalescents."

How to use convalescent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone (or something) in the process of recovering health after illness.

Common pairings
convalescent home convalescent patient convalescent care

Word forms

convalescents plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “convalescent” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He spent two _____ weeks at his sister's house after surgery.

Etymology

From French convalescent, from Latin convalescens, the present participle of convalescere ("to grow strong again").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for convalescent

See all rhymes for convalescent →

Frequently asked questions

What does “convalescent” mean?

The word “convalescent” means recovering gradually from an illness. In plain terms, someone (or something) in the process of recovering health after illness.

How do you pronounce “convalescent”?

“Convalescent” is pronounced kon-vuh-LEH-suhnt (/ˌkɒnvəˈlɛsənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “convalescent” in a sentence?

Here is “convalescent” used in a sentence: “He spent two convalescent weeks at his sister's house after surgery.”

What part of speech is “convalescent”?

Depending on how it is used, “convalescent” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “convalescent” come from?

The word “convalescent” comes from Latin. From French convalescent, from Latin convalescens, the present participle of convalescere ("to grow strong again").

How many meanings does “convalescent” have?

“Convalescent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: recovering gradually from an illness.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial