repair

¹ American  

[ri-pair] / rɪˈpɛər /

verb (used with object)

1. to restore to a good or sound condition after decay or damage; mend.

   to repair a motor.

   Synonyms:

   renovate, remodel, fix

   Antonyms:

   destroy, break

2. to restore or renew by any process of making good, strengthening, etc..

   to repair one's health by resting.

   Synonyms:

   amend, rejuvenate, renew

3. to remedy; make good; put right.

   to repair damage;

   to repair a deficiency.

   Synonyms:

   recoup, retrieve

4. to make amends for; compensate.

   to repair a wrong done.

   Synonyms:

   redress

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noun

1. an act, process, or work of repairing.

   to order the repair of a building.

2. Usually repairs.

   1. an instance or operation of repairing.

      to lay up a boat for repairs.

   2. a repaired part or an addition made in repairing.

      Seventeenth-century repairs in brick are conspicuous in parts of the medieval stonework.

3. repairs, (in bookkeeping, accounting, etc.) the part of maintenance expense that has been paid out to keep fixed assets in usable condition, as distinguished from amounts used for renewal or replacement.

4. the good condition resulting from continued maintenance and repairing.

   to keep in repair.

5. condition with respect to soundness and usability.

   a house in good repair.

repair ² American  

[ri-pair] / rɪˈpɛər /

verb (used without object)

1. to betake oneself; go, as to a place.

   He repaired in haste to Washington.

2. to go frequently or customarily.

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noun

1. a resort or haunt.

2. the act of going or going customarily; resort.

   to have repair to the country.

3. Scot. Obsolete. a meeting, association, or crowd of people.

repair ¹ British  

/ rɪˈpɛə /

verb

1. to restore (something damaged or broken) to good condition or working order

2. to heal (a breach or division) in (something)

   to repair a broken marriage

3. to make good or make amends for (a mistake, injury, etc)

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noun

1. the act, task, or process of repairing

2. a part that has been repaired

3. state or condition

   in good repair

repair ² British  

/ rɪˈpɛə /

verb

1. (usually foll by to) to go (to a place)

   to repair to the country

2. (usually foll by to) to have recourse (to) for help, etc

   to repair to one's lawyer

3. archaic (usually foll by from) to come back; return

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noun

1. the act of going or returning

2. a haunt or resort

Synonym Usage

See renew.

Other Word Forms

• nonrepairable
  adjective
• repairability
  noun
• repairable
  adjective
• repairableness
  noun
• repairer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of repair¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English reparen, repairen, from Middle French reparer, from Latin reparāre, equivalent to re- re- + parāre to prepare; see pare

Origin of repair²

First recorded 1300–50; Middle English repairen, repeiren, from Old French repairier, repeirier, “to return,” from Late Latin repatriāre “to return to one's homeland”; see origin at repatriate

Explanation

To repair means to fix or mend something so that it is in good working order again. If you forget to put oil in your car and you blow the engine, it's going to cost you an awful lot to repair it. Not only does repair describe the act of fixing something, it can also be used as a noun for the fixing itself, as in “Who did the repair on this house? It looks terrible!” In a totally different meaning, if you repair somewhere, you return back to or go to a place for rest or shelter. If you're outside and it begins to rain, you might want to repair to the house where it's dry.

Example Sentences

Support ships carrying supplies or repair crews are commissioned from the shore—at a hefty price, because of the remote location, and to compensate for the sanctions risks that come with servicing the shadow fleet.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

The Menai Suspension Bridge, which links mainland north Wales to Anglesey, has been restricted to vehicles under 7.5 tonnes since repair works began in October 2022.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

The city’s lengthy repair backlog frequently means that fixes are many years away, Hadar said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

"We are seeing the brain's own repair systems switch on, healing inflammation and restoring itself," Shetty said.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

Chase Masters decided it was time to repair the tree house in the backyard.

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith

Related Words

• compensate for
• correct
• heal
• improve
• mend
• overhaul
• patch
• rebuild
• recover
• rectify
• refurbish
• remedy
• renovate
• retrieve
• revamp
• revive