verb
C2
Proficient
recuperate
rih-KOO-puh-rayt
Recuperate (verb) means to recover strength or health after illness, injury, or exhaustion. Example: “She spent two weeks at her parents' house recuperating after surgery.”
verb
1
To recover strength or health after illness, injury, or exhaustion.
"She spent two weeks at her parents' house recuperating after surgery."
"The team needs time to recuperate before the next match."
How to use recuperate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo rest and get your strength or health back.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with recoup, which is about getting money back, not health.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
recuperate from surgery
time to recuperate
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- recuperates
- Past tense
- recuperated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The team needs time to _____ before the next match.
Etymology
From Latin recuperare ("to get again, regain") — a doublet of recover, meaning they share the same root.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for recuperate
See all rhymes for recuperate →Frequently asked questions
What does “recuperate” mean?
The word “recuperate” means to recover strength or health after illness, injury, or exhaustion. In plain terms, to rest and get your strength or health back.
How do you pronounce “recuperate”?
“Recuperate” is pronounced rih-KOO-puh-rayt (/ɹɪˈk(j)uːpəˌɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “recuperate” in a sentence?
Here is “recuperate” used in a sentence: “The team needs time to recuperate before the next match.”
What part of speech is “recuperate”?
“Recuperate” is a verb.
Where does the word “recuperate” come from?
The word “recuperate” comes from Latin. From Latin recuperare ("to get again, regain") — a doublet of recover, meaning they share the same root.
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