recover
rih-KUH-vuh
Recover (verb) means to get better after being ill, injured, or upset. Example: “She needs a few quiet days at home to recover after the operation.”
verb
1
To get better after being ill, injured, or upset.
"She needs a few quiet days at home to recover after the operation."
"It took him weeks to recover from the flu."
"The economy is slowly recovering from the recession."
2
To get back something that was lost, stolen, or taken.
"Divers managed to recover the ring that she had dropped in the lake."
"I finally recovered my lost wallet from the lost property office at the station."
"Police recovered the stolen paintings a year later."
3
To win compensation or a favorable result in a legal case.
"After a long trial, the family recovered compensation from the builder who damaged their house."
"The customer hoped to recover her costs through the court."
"The company recovered damages from the supplier who breached the contract."
How to use recover
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get better, or to get something back.
Common pairings
recover from illness
recover stolen goods
recover damages
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Word forms
- Plural
- recovers
- Third person singular
- recovers
- Past tense
- recovered
- Archaic forms
- recoverest, recoveredst, recovereth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She needs a few quiet days at home to _____ after the operation.
Etymology
From Old French recovrer, from Latin recuperare — the same root as recuperate.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for recover
See all rhymes for recover →Frequently asked questions
What does “recover” mean?
The word “recover” means to get better after being ill, injured, or upset. In plain terms, to get better, or to get something back.
How do you pronounce “recover”?
“Recover” is pronounced rih-KUH-vuh (/ɹɪˈkʌvɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “recover” in a sentence?
Here is “recover” used in a sentence: “It took him weeks to recover from the flu.”
What part of speech is “recover”?
“Recover” is a verb.
Where does the word “recover” come from?
The word “recover” comes from Latin. From Old French recovrer, from Latin recuperare — the same root as recuperate.
Is “recover” a common word?
“Recover” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “recover” have?
“Recover” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to get better after being ill, injured, or upset.
What is the difference between "recover" and "recuperate"?
Both mean to get better after being ill or weakened, but "recuperate" is more formal and refers specifically to recovering health or strength, often through rest. "Recover" is broader and also covers getting back something lost, stolen, or taken. You recuperate from surgery, but you recover a stolen wallet.
What is the difference between "recover" and "heal"?
"Heal" describes a wound, injury, or the body itself mending, and it can happen to a specific part, as in "the cut healed." "Recover" describes the whole person or situation getting better overall. A broken bone heals, while the patient recovers.
What is the difference between "recover" and "re-cover"?
"Recover" (one word, no hyphen) means to get better after illness or to get back something lost. "Re-cover" (with a hyphen) means to cover something again, such as re-covering a sofa with new fabric. The hyphen changes both the meaning and the pronunciation.
What is the difference between "recover" and "retrieve"?
"Retrieve" means to actively go and bring something back, often from where it was placed or lost. "Recover" means to regain possession of something that was lost, stolen, or taken, whether or not you fetched it yourself. Police may recover stolen goods, while a dog retrieves a ball.
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