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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

recuperated past tense, recuperates singular

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Fill the gap

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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.

Origin: Latin

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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